Germany seeks to dispel doubts about efficacy of Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccines

Despite the approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the University of Oxford, the bad reputation of British development continues to delay its administration among countries in the bloc.

Germany, the most reluctant country, is now looking for alternatives to refine the image and critical comments that led to the fact that it only used 15% of the available stock of this vaccine, in part because this development is approved for use by those under 65.

The debate included the proposal of the General Secretary of the German Society for Immunology, Carsten Watzl, who he has the idea of ​​vaccinating Chancellor Angela Merkel in public to clarify the issues and include a vaccine.

“If Angela Merkel were on live TV and received the AstraZeneca vaccine, of course that would be great.”said the immunologist in an interview with the British BBC.

The German Society for Immunology will issue a statement in the coming hours “in which we clearly set out the facts about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.” Yet at the same time, a clear political message is needed to allay people’s skepticism.

For his part, Thomas Mertens, chairman of the German Standing Committee on Immunization (Stiko) told German public broadcaster ZDF that the agency was considering reconsidering its recommendations on the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Three federal states differ

Three ministers from the German states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony Sunday called on young people to use the AstraZeneca and Oxford coronavirus vaccine due to lack of acceptance in the priority age group.

Breaking the barrier of rejection of this development is the decision of these federal authorities, in response to the prejudices of German citizens after several reports suggest that this serum was less effective in the elderly, which the pharmaceutical AstraZeneca denies.

The Prime Minister of the Land of Baden Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, consulted by the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, warned the country that it is not possible “to afford the luxury of the vaccine remaining unused because some of those who have been there right to reject ”.

His Bavarian counterpart, Markus Söder, and one of the candidates to succeed Angela Merkel, agreed and told the Bild newspaper: “Before you drop it, vaccinate whoever you want.”

Another politician willing to skip objections is the mayor of Berlin, Michael Müller. “I would immediately vaccinate with Astrazeneca and I would have no problem,” the SPD politician told the German news agency.

“I trust science and medicine,” Müller added. “The important thing is that you can no longer get seriously ill. It is important that you do not have to be treated in the intensive care unit or die from the disease. “

The European Union remains in doubt

The vaccine’s launch in the European Union has been very slow compared to other countries, even with countries that keep this covid-19 “hit” in stock without using it.

The numbers are relentless for this stubbornness, some experts assume. While Germany had administered less than 6 million total doses of vaccine on Friday, the United Kingdom gave its 20 millionth dose of vaccine on Sunday. In Israel, more than half of all eligible adults have received at least one injection.

Despite Germany has said that only people between the ages of 18 and 64 should receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, EU regulators, through the Medicines Agency (EMA), have said it is safe for all adults.

Initial reports showed the vaccine to be up to 90% effective against COVID-19, although the current age limits are due to a lack of data on the effect in the elderly.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, 66, recently said she was too old to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine under current rules. But he said the public should be prepared to receive the injection, saying it was “a reliable, effective and safe vaccine.”

But the reluctance is also part of a dispute between the European Union and the UK over delivery delays. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been affected by several production issues in recent months. The drugmaker said it would not be able to meet its intra-EU vaccine distribution target in the first half of 2021, prompting a harsh response from the Brussels-based government of 27 .

Even in recent days, pharmaceutical AstraZeneca has again questioned its ability to deliver on its promise for the second quarter of 2021, anticipating the possibility of fulfilling 40% of what had been agreed.

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