[서울신문] Under 55, 65, 70… Why is the Astra vaccination age different?

‘Water vaccine controversy’ Q&A

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▲ AstraZeneca vaccine.
AFP Yonhap News

After the Lunar New Year holiday, the plan to give the Corona 19 vaccine priority to medical staff and residents of nursing hospitals and facilities faced difficulties. On the 5th, the Central Pharmacist Review Committee made an opinion on the vaccination of the AstraZeneca vaccine for the elderly, saying that “we must make a careful decision”. The vaccines coming into Korea this month are a small amount of Pfizer vaccine and AstraZeneca vaccine. If the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes the final decision,’No vaccination for the elderly’, the initial vaccination plan could be wrong. Among these, the first domestic antibody treatment was approved. AstraZeneca’s’water vaccine’ controversy was solved with Q&A on the 7th.

Q. Why are the age groups for AstraZeneca vaccination different from country to country?

A. The controversy over vaccination for the elderly is being raised mainly in European countries that first introduced the AstraZeneca vaccine. On the 29th of last month, the European Union (EU) approved the conditional sale of AstraZeneca vaccine. However, even in EU member states, the vaccination age is determined by each country. Germany, France, Austria, and Sweden recommended vaccinations under the age of 65, saying that data on the effects of the elderly are insufficient. Finland recommends immunizations under the age of 70 and Poland recommends immunizations under the age of 60. Belgium lowered the target age group to under 55. Italy recommended the use under the age of 55 first, but recently issued an amendment saying that even over the age of 55 can be vaccinated if healthy. Although not an EU member, Switzerland has recently withheld approval.

Q. Why is the useless theory of senior citizens rising?

A. German media quoted government officials last month and reported that the AstraZeneca vaccine effect was only 8% for the elderly over the age of 65. In response, AstraZeneca refuted that it was a false report, but admitted that clinical data were lacking. Among clinical trial participants, less than 10% of the elderly aged 65 years or older. In the clinical trials of Pfizer/Moder and vaccines, the rate of over 65 years old was 21% and 25%, respectively, but this is extremely low. There is a lack of data that can predict the effectiveness of this vaccine in the elderly. However, there is also an objection that there have been no reports of adverse reactions so far.

Q. If the domestic antibody treatment’Rekironaju’ is supplied from this month, can I not get the vaccine?

A. The government approved Rekirona on the 5th, and we also got a cure. However, this is only a cure, and cannot prevent COVID-19 infection. Recirona injection targets are limited because they are 60 years of age or older, mild patients with one or more chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, chronic respiratory tract diseases, diabetes, and hypertension, or patients with pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy.

Reporter Lee Hyun-jung [email protected]