[ad_1]
Top line
The UK government may approve the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine “right after” Christmas, a member of the government’s scientific advisory group told BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday, a move the Indian government could also take next week. , opening the door for a cheaper vaccine that is easier to transport.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses for a photo with an AstraZeneca / Oxford bottle … [+]
fake images
Key facts
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Sir John Bell, a member of the British government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said there were “no concerns” about the candidate vaccine whose test data is currently being reviewed by the UK Medicines Regulatory Agency. .
If approved, the Oxford-AstraZeneca injection will be the second vaccine available in the UK after the one made by Pfizer-BioNTech, which was approved by British regulators earlier this month, but is more expensive and requires extremely low temperatures to safe storage.
The UK government has ordered 100 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, of which 40 million are expected to be delivered by the end of March, according to the Independent.
Indian regulators may also grant approval to the Serum Institute of India (SII) licensed version of the AstraZeneca vaccine next week after the local manufacturer of the injection submitted additional data requested by authorities, Reuters reported.
The approval of the vaccine in India could be a key step for global distribution, as the country is the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines and IBS plans to administer the vaccines in several low- and middle-income countries.
Crucial appointment
“So now we are in prime time, I would expect news very soon,” Bell told BBC Radio, adding: “I have no concern that the data is looking better than ever.”
Key Background
Last month, AstraZeneca published data from the phase three trial for its candidate vaccine and found that it was between 62% and 90% effective in protecting against Covid-19 at different doses. The greatest efficacy was achieved when trial participants received a lower starting dose followed by a full dose, compared to two full doses. After publishing the split data, AstraZeneca announced that it would conduct an additional global test to understand why people receiving lower starting doses seemed to be better protected. The data from the trials was submitted to regulators in both India and the UK last month, but the Indian regulator then sought additional data from the trials. Earlier this year, SII, the world’s largest vaccine producer, signed an agreement with AstraZeneca that allows the Indian company to produce 1 billion doses of Oxford vaccine for India and low- and middle-income countries during the pandemic and sell it. at cost. of production.
What to watch
The lower efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine has left investors skeptical about the chances of it being approved for emergency use in the US Its relatively favorable storage conditions … may be advantageous. “Even Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases official, suggested that lower efficacy could affect its chances of being approved in the US “If it’s 70%, then we have a dilemma,” Fauci said. STAT News. “Because what are you going to do with 70% when you have two [vaccines] what are 95%? Who are you going to give a vaccine like this? “
Tangent
Pfizer has agreed to supply an additional 100 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine to the US, doubling down on its existing commitment as the country tries to step up its inoculation program over the next several months. This follows a similar decision regarding the recently approved Moderna vaccine, where the US government exercised its option to purchase an additional 100 million doses of vaccine, doubling its existing orders. Because both vaccines require two injections, the 400 million doses mandated by the US can be used to inoculate 200 million people.
Other readings
Oxford Vaccine Will Be Approved ‘Right After’ Christmas, Says Sage Scientist (The Independent)
India likely to approve AstraZeneca vaccine next week – sources (Reuters)
AstraZeneca may conduct an additional trial for the Covid-19 vaccine after acknowledging errors in the initial trial (Forbes)
Full coverage and live updates on Coronavirus
