[신성식의 레츠 고 9988] Reasons to get AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 65

Shin Seong-sik, Welfare Reporter

750,000 copies of AstraZeneca (AZ)’s novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine will be shipped from the SK Bioscience plant in Andong, Gyeongbuk on the 24th, and vaccination will begin on the 26th. As planned, patients, nursing homes, caregivers, nursing care workers, administrative staff, etc. are suitable, but this has become opaque. This is because of the controversy over vaccination for the elderly over 65. When advanced European countries, such as Germany and France, recommend vaccinations under the age of 65, there is a claim that “we will follow.” Consider the controversy over the AZ vaccine and the current situation.

① No problem with safety

The safety and effectiveness of any drug, whether it is a vaccine or whatever, is vital. Either one cannot be neglected. There is consensus that the AZ vaccine has no safety issues. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s verification advisory group said on the 1st that “when comparing adults and the elderly, the incidence of abnormal cases was similar or low (in the elderly).” Park Ki-dong (58, doctor), head of the Vietnam office of the Western Pacific Regional Headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) said, “There is no international issue with the safety of the AZ vaccine. Rather, it has fewer sequelae than other vaccines.” According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s analysis of adverse reactions by Pfizer, Modena, and AZ (for all age groups), AZ vaccine is the lowest in all indicators such as pain at the vaccination site, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, and fever.

② Data is insufficient

7.4% of the elderly participated in the AZ vaccine in clinical trials. It is less than Pfizer (21%) and Modena (25%). So, at a briefing on the 8th, Choi Won-seok, a professor of infectious medicine at the University Ansan Hospital, said, “It is not statistically significant (meaning there are limitations).” The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s Central Pharmacy Review Committee also ordered, “There are not enough data, so decide carefully.” That doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. Professor Choi said, “If you analyze the data for all ages over 18, the results are valid.”

How about the AstraZeneca vaccine? Graphic = Reporter Jaemin Shin [email protected]

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s verification advisory group evaluated that “the prevention effect was confirmed in all subjects, including those over 65 years old.” CEO Park Ki-dong said, “Because of lack of data, some experts hesitate (for vaccinations over the age of 65), but it is not enough data to see that the preventive effect of the AZ vaccine is different (meaning low) in the elderly. It will be more problematic to inoculate the younger people first.”

However, Jeon Byung-yul, a professor of preventive medicine at Cha Medical University, said, “The results of a US clinical trial (including many elderly people) of AZ vaccine will be released in March and April. It is correct to first guess the patient and the workers below.” Professor Jeon added, “Especially workers can quit this because it is a link of infection.”

③ Age-restricted countries have a pinch

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has allowed the AZ vaccine to be vaccinated by all age groups over the age of 18. However, many member states rebelled. In Germany, France, Austria, Sweden, etc., it is recommended to be vaccinated under the age of 65, Poland under the age of 60, and Belgium under the age of 55. Switzerland and South Africa have withheld approval. According to the New York Times, 24 countries, including the European Union, approved emergency use of the AZ vaccine (as of 6 days). Most are developing countries such as Algeria and Bangladesh, but there are also advanced northern European countries such as Norway and Iceland.

Even if European Union countries such as Germany and France limit the age of use of the AZ vaccine, they have Pfizer, Moder or alternatives. Switzerland has officially approved the Pfizer Modena vaccine.

④ Korea is a vaccine poor country

The situation in Korea related to the AstraZeneca vaccine? Graphic = Reporter Jaemin Shin [email protected]

If the AZ vaccine is excluded due to the government’s poor vaccine securing strategy, elderly Koreans will have to spend winter and spring empty-handed. There are only 58,500 Pfizer vaccines from Kobax Facility, the International Vaccine Purchasing Organization, which will be available at the end of this month or next month. Where do I put this on? This quantity is perfect for medical staff responding to Corona 19. It is possible to turn this into an elderly person over 90 years old in a nursing hospital or nursing home, but then it becomes too complicated. Modena and Novavex vaccines are scheduled to come in the second quarter, but it is unclear when and how long in April, May and June. In addition, Professor Jeong Jae-hoon of Gachon University Medical School has warned that “the fourth pandemic may come from March to April.”

It cannot be continued only because of the government’s failure to obtain vaccines early. You have to admit the reality and find the next best thing. CEO Park Ki-dong said, “It is not an elegant situation in which Korea has enough other vaccines to choose from,” he said. About 40% of Corona 19 deaths (as of the 8th) came from nursing homes and nursing homes. The mortality rate over 80 is 21%. Excluding vaccinations over the age of 65 makes it difficult to reduce this tragedy.

⑤ Commissioner Eun-kyung Jeong’s communication skills are key

Professor Dong-Hyun Kim of the Department of Social Medicine, Hallym University School of Medicine, said, “With the AZ vaccine not getting statistical significance, many countries are hesitant. I will drop it.” Conversely, there are opinions that changing the 65-year-old vaccination policy of the AZ vaccine released on the 28th of last month will cause distrust. It is important how well Jung Eun-kyung, director of the disease administration, breaks the controversy over the age of 65. Professor Kim said, “Regardless of which one you choose, you have to believe that this is the realm of experts. I don’t want to engage in a political battle.”

Shin Seong-sik, Welfare Reporter