Approved for use in South American countries following the UK
Controversy over lack of data on’rubber band effect’
Expectation of rapid distribution due to cheap and convenient distribution
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The evaluation of AstraZeneca’s novel coronavirus (Corona 19) infectious disease vaccine, which has been approved for emergency use in some South American countries such as the UK, Argentina, and El Salvador, is sharply mixed.
The United States and the European Union (EU) estimate that there is still a lack of information on the AstraZeneca vaccine.
On the other hand, there is also an expectation that it will be the most potent vaccine to respond to Corona 19, highlighting the advantages of low price and easy transportation.
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━ “There is no specific or clear data”… Pfizer Modena contrast effect is low |
AFP news agency reported on the 30th of last month (local time) that the AstraZeneca vaccine will be difficult to obtain approval for use by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) within January.
In a statement that day, EMA said, “For conditional marketing (emergency use) approval, additional information on issues related to the quality, safety and efficacy of this vaccine is required.” Said. “Evaluation of the results of clinical trials in the UK, Brazil and South Africa is ongoing, and additional information is needed to complete this evaluation.”
EMA deputy chief Noel Wasshun also predicted that AstraZeneca vaccine would be difficult to obtain conditional marketing approval within January next year.
The AstraZeneca vaccine was controversial over the lack of core data and the’rubber band immunity effect’ that the prevention rate varies depending on the dose.
The US also predicted that the AstraZeneca vaccine would be approved in April next year, delaying the time it was initially expected by two months.
“It is important to note that one vaccine for Americans has a 95% prevention rate, while the other vaccine has a’X%’ (unknown),” said Montsef Slawi, chief executive of the US vaccine development program’Ultra-Fast Operation’. “We need a specific and clear number, not the sum of other clinical trials made with materials.”
He also pointed out that “the effect of AstraZeneca vaccine on the elderly is virtually unknown.” This is because the elderly rarely participated in the existing clinical trials.
Pfizer vaccine has 95% immune efficacy and 94.5% Moderna, while AstraZeneca’s average drops to 70.4%.
A spokeswoman for AstraZeneca said, “We have continued to submit data to the authorities and are working closely with EMA to obtain official conditional approval for sale.”
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━ Advantages of low price and easy distribution…Sufficient availability |
On the other hand, the New York Times (NYT) evaluated that the AstraZeneca vaccine had the conditions to become a “vaccine that will dominate the world”.
AstraZeneca vaccine has the advantage of being able to transport, store, and manage the vaccine for at least 6 months at a normal refrigerator temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.
In the case of Pfizer vaccine, it must be transported at an extremely low temperature of -70 ± 10 degrees Celsius. In addition, Modena announced that the vaccine is stable for 6 months at -20 degrees Celsius and remains stable for 30 days at 2-8 degrees Celsius.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is cheaper than Pfizer and Moder or vaccines, so it is expected to be easier to distribute to developing countries.
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Based on the contract in the US, the price of two doses of Pfizer vaccine is £29.47 (about 43,000 won). The price of Moderna goes down when it comes to large orders, but it is the most expensive, reaching 23.99 to 27.74 pounds (about 35,000 to 41,000 won) per serving.
On the other hand, the AstraZeneca vaccine was decided to be purchased by the EU at 2.23 pounds (about 3,300 won). It is only a tenth of the price compared to Pfizer, Moder or Vaccines.
AstraZeneca announced its target production of vaccines at 3 billion doses by next year. Considering that two doses per person are required, about one-fifth of the world’s population can fit, and the number of contracts is the largest worldwide.
Professor Stephen Evans of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said, “very good news for the world,” regarding the UK’s approval for urgent use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. “This vaccine will increase access to the vaccine in the international community.”
/ Reporter Noh Hee-young [email protected]
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