AstraZeneca – Arvel L. Grant

Could be relief for developing countries not concerned about the 2-shot regime of the vaccine.

If ever a vaccine was “rising from a torturous slumber”, AstraZeneca is it!

The scientists at Edinburgh University found that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine achieved a 94% efficacy, at preventing serious illness up to 4 weeks after the first dose. The British scientists, appear (even) to find that, the newly resurrected vaccine has a greater than 80% efficacy in people over 80. Pouring scorn on the finding by German scientists that the vaccine data demonstrated no studied effect in people over 65.

I should caution that:

a) The real-world study was based in Scotland, where about 91% of the population is white.

b) In the Caribbean, close to 90% of most populations are black.

c) Further, the UK and Caribbean health systems are different. Time will tell how the Oxford-AstraZeneca will do in paradise.

d) The Scottish study is a pre-print, meaning that it has not been peer-reviewed or published in a respectable scientific journal such as the
lancet.

e) The finding is based on a 1-month period of application.

Is it in the British interests, to find in favor of the Oxford-AstraZeneca, which “took fire” for alleged sloppy science? under-dosing at trial stages etc? The 438 year old Edinburgh University is a high-pedigree academic institution. I do not for one moment, believe that they would compromise their credibility, to “save” the Oxford-AstraZeneca scientists from them self.

Assuming the AstraZeneca vaccine to be as good as the Scottish university is reporting (94% effective at preventing serious illness in the first month
of application) I encourage everyone to take it.

Ultimately, the most efficient vaccine coming to market is the J&J option. A 1-shot vaccine with an 85% efficacy at preventing illness and death; Kept stable at normal refrigerator temperature; and at around 25% the cost of the Pfizer and Moderna 2-shot options. Until the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives at a clinic near you, I strongly recommend that you “grab” an AstraZeneca vaccine and prepare to get-on with your life. Unless, of course, you know how to get the most effective vaccine in the World today, the Sputnik (V).

Reference: “AstraZeneca vaccine reduced Covid-19 hospitalisation risk by 94%, Scotland study shows” https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/astrazeneca-vaccine-reduced-covid-19-hospitalisation-risk-by-94-scotland-study-shows-954141.html

Arvel Grant
Public Health and International Development Specialist.

If the Germans are correct that, the AstraZeneca vaccine, developed in the United kingdom, is not efficacious for people 65 years or older, PAHO and the Caribbean Public Health Agency, have urgent issues to be discussed with the World Health Organization.

Certainly, the section of the population most at risk (from the COVID-19 virus and it’s various mutations) are persons 65 years and older including people with comorbidities. If this vaccine is suspect for that age cohort, Caribbean governments should be extremely cautious about embracing its use. Death and morbidity have their highest prevalence among people in those age groups.

It is interesting, if not unseemly, to watch a community of mostly white people, engage in a food fight, about which of their countries should get the vaccines first and in what quantities. While billions of black and brown people around the world, are powerless to determine if and when their populations will be vaccinated.

Is this a naked case of vaccine racism? or just another attempt by the fittest of the fittest to survive at the expense of everyone else?

Reference: “AstraZeneca vaccine should not be given to people over 65, German health officials say” https:/www.cnn.com/2021/01/28/europe/germany-astrazeneca-vaccine-coronavirus-grm-intl/index.html

Arvel Grant
Public Health and International Development Specialist