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Vaccine with logistical advantages
Andreas Windischbauer, CEO of Herba Chemosan and president of the Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers of Austria (PHAGO), emphasized that Astra Zeneca’s vaccines have advantages over products already on the market: that is, easier transport and storage. The first delivery from Germany was expected late on Friday afternoon or evening. Traffic problems delayed the arrival, at 1.48 am the vaccine finally reached Herba Chemosan in Vienna-Simmering. “The split (to 16 locations in Austria, note) took place immediately,” Windischbauer said.
Safe vaccine
The vaccine went through the same approval process as the other vaccines, said Sarah Walters, director of Astra Zeneca in Austria. Studies have shown that it prevented serious illness, hospitalization, and death by 100 percent. Also at least against the British mutant B.1.1.7. AstraZeneca’s vaccine appears to work, the corresponding data was published this week in the scientific journal “Lancet.” Walters admitted that only the effectiveness of the British variant was examined.
Possibility of readjustment for the target group
She hopes there will be enough data available in the next month or two to meet the currently missing vaccination recommendation for people 65 and older. Walters stressed that the European Medicines Agency had approved the Astra Zeneca vaccine for anyone over 18 years of age. In any case, the data available so far would imply that efficacy is also given for people over 65 years of age. “There is more data every day,” Walters said.
The EU should receive the entire order
He also expressed confidence that the company will finally be able to ship the 300 million cans ordered to the EU. Walters ruled out that production capacities outside the EU could also be used. “It was not just an Astra Zeneca decision,” said the Astra Zeneca representative. “The delivery routes were decided jointly with the EU states.”
Outsource production
The British-Swedish group is firmly considering that Astra Zeneca has its vaccine produced by other companies, such as Biontech / Pfizer agreed with the French pharmaceutical Sanofi. “We have more than 20 partners around the world,” said Walters, with whom Astra Zeneca is in close contact regarding similar collaborations.
