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