The effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine amplified doubts

There is skepticism about the AstraZeneca vaccine (jointly developed by the University of Oxford), which was predicted to become a ‘game changer’ in the fight against the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) because it is easy to store and the price purchase is only $ 4. It is known that the result of a clinical trial in which the preventive effect reaches 90% is the result of accidentally entering a different dose, and that the elderly who are vulnerable to Corona 19 were excluded from the clinical trial.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 25th (local time), AstraZeneca administered only half the dose of the vaccine at the time of the first vaccination, and when the dose was dosed in the second dose of the vaccine, the immunological effect reached 90%. Announced the day. The company said it was necessary to dose both the first and second vaccinations, but the researcher accidentally administered different doses, but showed a higher prevention rate than the effect of the dosed dose (62%). issued.

However, there are growing voices that the credibility of the vaccine cannot be guaranteed, NYT said. First, the problem was pointed out that the elderly were excluded from the participants in the clinical trial, which showed a 90% prevention effect. Monsef Slawi, executive director of the US high-speed vaccine development operation, said the clinical trial with different doses on day 24 was conducted only in participants under 55 years of age. AstraZeneca also admitted this the next day. If the elderly, particularly vulnerable to Corona 19 are included, the result of the 90% prevention effect cannot be guaranteed.

Also, the fact that the omission of important information by AstraZeneca is a factor that degrades reliability. AstraZeneca said there were 2,741 participants in the clinical trial with different doses and 8,895 participants in the quantitative dose, of which 131 were corona infections. However, it is not known exactly how many people were infected with fake, quantitative, and low-dose (placebo) drugs. Additionally, clinical trials were conducted in the UK and Brazil, respectively, and the combined results did not meet the general criteria for vaccine clinical trials, NYT added.

As a skeptical evaluation of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been raised, concerns are raised that it will take longer to apply for emergency use approval. This vaccine was developed under the motto ‘we will supply the cheapest and most widely available vaccine’ and is called a vaccine for poor countries. Priced at $ 3-4 per serving, which is much cheaper than Pfizer ($ 20) or Modena ($ 32-37) vaccines, and can be stored for 6 months at normal refrigerator temperature, making it easy to his transport. Delayed applications for emergency use could prevent the end of COVID-19 in poor countries, NYT said.

Reporter Lee Hee-kyung [email protected]