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Yes, because the Italian Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, says that by the end of the year we will have the first doses of the anti-Sars-Cov2 vaccine. What?
Yes, because Italy has chosen to purchase a vaccine against the new coronavirus, which is still in the testing phase. The real possibility of administering it to the population will then depend on the evolution of the scientific investigations in progress that will have to demonstrate its efficacy and safety.
At what point is this investigation?
Currently there are 182 of the so-called candidate vaccines against Sars-Cov2, in the early stages of evaluation, and 40 are already being tested in the so-called phase 3, that is, in humans. Phase 3 trials are showing that many of these preparations stimulate the production of large amounts of antibodies, capable of neutralizing the coronavirus. Some of this research is supported by solid scientific data and solid publications in the scientific literature. For others, however, we only have statements of efficacy.
Does the production of neutralizing antibodies against the virus then defend against the actual infection?
It still needs to be tested. The experience of vaccines against the AIDS virus teaches: it was discovered that some preparations were capable of stimulating the production of anti-HIV antibodies, but unable to protect against infection. To verify that the anti-Covid vaccine really works, it would be necessary to demonstrate that those vaccinated do not become infected when they come into contact with the virus. And what we will try to evaluate in the coming months.
Italy, like other European countries, in the emergency of the pandemic, has opted for the purchase of a vaccine (the Oxford one), although at the moment it is not known if it will really work. a bet?
We are facing a unique situation in the history of vaccines. The political choice was between doing nothing and waiting or opting for a vaccine, waiting for the studies to confirm its real efficacy in the meantime. In this second case we would soon have the doses available and we would save time. Otherwise, the investment would be a waste. President Trump and the FDA, the US pharmaceutical agency, for example, have authorized the production of a vaccine before the final demonstration of its efficacy.
Doesn’t this complex situation run the risk of generating distrust in vaccination against the new coronavirus?
Perhaps, but there is no reason to be alarmed. Any vaccine, before being administered to the population, must have the support of scientific data recognized by all that demonstrate its efficacy and safety.
So who should be prioritized?
This is another topic under discussion. There are those who say those who are most at risk: the elderly, the immunosuppressed, health workers. However, at the moment, the vaccine is being tested mainly in young, healthy people. That is why the research is also expanding into other subject categories.
(These questions were answered by Carlo Federico Perno, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Milan and Director of Laboratory Medicine at Hospital Milano Niguarda.).
October 11, 2020 (change October 11, 2020 | 23:08)
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