[ad_1]
Recently, drug makers Pfizer and German partner Biontech announced that data from an ongoing phase 3 study shows that the vaccine they developed has a strong protective effect against COVID-19.
The message was received by the European Commission to enter into a vaccine agreement with Biontech-Pfizer for the purchase of 200 million doses of the covid-19 vaccine. The EU also has the option to purchase an additional 100 million doses once the vaccine has been confirmed to be safe and effective.
Sweden receives two percent of the vaccine purchased by the EU, which means a total of four million doses from Pfizer. An initial delivery of 20,000 doses is anticipated for January 2021. However, it is not certain that this is from Pfizer.
Several other pharmaceutical companies may approve their vaccines in the coming months and the EU also has agreements with Astra Zeneca, Sanofi-GSK and Janssen Pharmaceutica NV to ensure that vaccination can start immediately when there is a safe vaccine.
– We have a contract that contains volumes as of January, but a prerequisite for that to happen is that the vaccine is approved and we don’t know yet. Three drug companies are roughly the same distance ahead. But it was such a promising result from Pfizer this week that I have been clear to the regions on the readiness to be able to start vaccinating in January, says Richard Bergström.
The finished vaccine It will be given mainly to priority groups, such as the elderly, health professionals and other risk groups. Richard Bergström does not believe there is a problem with the order of priority among the roughly three million prioritized Swedes.
– Vaccines are manufactured in batches, which will be withdrawn later. And if all these vaccines work and are approved, we will be able to vaccinate all of our priority groups during the first half of the year, he says.
How long does covid-19 immunity last? lasts after vaccination is not yet clear. Richard Bergström says this is something that will be followed up with patients participating in the studies to see if they get sick again and if they have received a virus that they inadvertently catch.
– It requires a learning environment and that you continue to monitor even after having been vaccinated so that you can adapt recommendations and advice.
The common seasonal flu vaccine lasts about 7-8 months, but it is not comparable to the coronavirus, says Richard Bergström. These are four virus strains that are constantly circulating and changing. No significant mutations have been observed in the coronavirus. But even if it is stable, nothing is known about the long-term effect. Based on studies done so far, it indicates that immunity lasts longer, but maybe not for a year, he says.
It may also be necessary various doses for adequate protection, or different types of vaccine. For example, the Pfizer / Biontech vaccine uses mRNA technology that activates the body’s own cells to produce a protein, while Astra Zeneca uses a genetically modified chimpanzee adenovirus against which the body produces antibodies.
– The strategy around vaccines is not short-term, but something that must be lived with and combined with other protection measures and the state of knowledge. We have to learn all the time when new data comes out.
Will we be able to ease the restrictions with a vaccine, or will we have to live with them for several years?
– It is not I who will answer but the Public Health Agency. But when it comes to immunity to a vaccine, we can probably count on a year, experts say. But we don’t know.
What is the biggest challenge when it comes to the vaccine?
– With each passing day, I become more optimistic about receiving a vaccine. The challenge is rather the practicality, how to organize the distribution and the communicativeness to explain to people that there are several different vaccines and concerns about side effects. But those who feel less motivated also don’t have access to vaccines until later, and I think confidence will increase, says Richard Bergström.
Read more:
“The study provides further support that the virus is also airborne”
150 re-patients investigated – Dr. Andreas was infected twice
Studio DN Nov 13: “Vaccine Announcement is Very Good News”
