Macron ignited controversy about AZ efficacy… Stock up and “I’ll be right”

The Guardian reported on the 25th (local time) that a significant amount of the AstraZeneca vaccine supplied to Europe is stacked unvaccinated. Many countries are vaccinating only under the age of 65, and’avoidance’ appears in various controversy over efficacy.

According to The Guardian, 80% of AstraZeneca vaccines supplied to 27 countries in the European Union are still unused. According to the European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), the total amount of AstraZeneca vaccine supplied to the EU was 63,4700 doses, of which 4,489,700 doses have not yet been administered.

By country, Germany used 13% of the supply, and Italy used 19%. France has not submitted data to the ECDC, but according to the French vaccine tracking website Covid Tracker, it is estimated at 11%. In addition, only 4% in Belgium and 1.73% in Bulgaria.

On the contrary, the vaccine developed by Pfizer-Bioentech showed an inoculation rate of 80% compared to the amount supplied. The vaccination rate in Germany is estimated at 82%, Belgium 81% and Italy 80%, respectively.

Many European countries, such as Germany, France, Italy and Poland, recommend that the AstraZeneca vaccine be given only to those under the age of 65. In addition, controversy about efficacy is added, and there is an atmosphere that avoids vaccination even under the age of 65.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also mentioned in an interview with Frankfurt Algemainezaitung (FAZ) on the same day that “AstraZeneca vaccine currently has an’acceptance problem’.”

“AstraZeneca has been approved by the ECDC as an effective, safe and reliable vaccine,” Merkel said. “With the current scarcity of vaccines, we cannot choose which vaccine to receive.”

At the same time, he replied, “I am 66 years old and am not recommended for vaccination.”

In France, where the instep was burned due to the low vaccination rate, AstraZeneca vaccination was encouraged.

French President Emmanuel Macron met with reporters after a videoconference with European Union leaders on the same day, emphasizing that the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been proven, considering the latest scientific research results. President Macron said last month that the effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine was unclear in people over the age of 65, and there was a strong backlash in Britain and elsewhere.

President Macron, 45, is the target group for the AstraZeneca vaccine. “I have time, but my turn will come back,” he said, “if given the AstraZeneca vaccine, of course it will.”

Meanwhile, UK regulators reiterated that the AstraZeneca vaccine is working for all age groups. “According to the data available to date, (AstraZeneca vaccine) produced a strong immune response in the 65-year-old and older,” said Joon Marine, head of the UK Drug and Health Care Product Regulatory Authority. The UK is still vaccinated against AstraZeneca even over the age of 65.

Reporter Jeong Eun-hye [email protected]