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The obstacles to the approval of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine in Switzerland will soon be overcome: new studies have shown that it is effective, even in older people. But until that happens, you may not need it anymore.
Vaccines are rare, many are waiting for the injection of the immunizing agent. So far, the federal government has contracted with five vaccine manufacturers and has contractually insured the following number of vaccine doses:
- Pfizer / Biontech: 3 million doses of vaccines
- Modern: 13.5 million doses of vaccine
- Astra-Zeneca: 5.3 million doses of vaccine
- Curevac: 5 million doses of vaccine
- Novavax: 6 million doses of vaccine
Of these five manufacturers, however, only the first two have been approved so far. Delivery will only take place once authorization has been granted by Swissmedic.
Developed by Oxford, foiled by Swissmedic
The Astra-Zeneca vaccine, which was developed by the University of Oxfort, has not yet been approved in Switzerland, unlike the EU and Great Britain.
Swissmedic justified this to SRF as follows: “For Covid-19 vaccines previously approved in Switzerland, Swissmedic had access to significant results from large clinical studies. At Astra-Zeneca, things have changed so far: Swissmedic and the US FDA are currently unable to conclusively assess safety, efficacy and quality based on the available data. “
The SVP politician asks: What can Swissmedic do better?
Verena Herzog, vice president for health policy, does not approve of this. It is clear to them that more vaccines are urgently needed. “The safety of the vaccine is undoubtedly important. But if 6.5 million people in Great Britain have been vaccinated with it and have had very good experiences, then I wonder what can Swissmedic do better? “
If 6.5 million people in Great Britain have been vaccinated with it and had very good experiences, then I wonder what can Swissmedic do better? “
The chairman of the Federal Commission for Vaccination Affairs, Infectious Diseases Professor Christoph Berger, can understand these demands. However, until now there has been a lack of studies on the effectiveness of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine for the elderly. However, new studies now seem to show this efficacy.
“New studies show a high level of effectiveness”
Berger: “The new studies show an 80 percent reduction in hospitalizations for patients vaccinated with the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. And they show a 60 percent reduction in symptomatic infections after a dose in England. This data is very good, it just still has to be scientifically verified, as usual. ”This usually takes three to four weeks.
The new studies show an 80 percent reduction in hospitalizations in patients vaccinated with the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. And they show a 60 percent reduction in symptomatic infections after a dose in England.
Can it be assumed that the Astra-Zeneca vaccine will be approved in a few weeks? Berger sounds positive: “The scientific review of the new studies is carried out by the medical journal, where it will be published later. There may be further adjustments. These are certainly very important documents for the licensing authorities. ”However, Swissmedic will make the decision on the authorization.
Past “unbeatable” vaccinations
Berger emphasizes: The two mRNA vaccines already approved in Switzerland are still superior to Astra-Zeneca’s: “The mRNA vaccines show an effectiveness of more than 90 percent after two vaccinations, and are, so to speak, unbeatable” says the president. of the proprietary commission for vaccination issues.
He assumes that enough vaccines of the previously approved vaccines will be available in Switzerland in May. Whether the Astra-Zeneca vaccine will be needed at that point is at least questionable.
