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Vaccine developers say they are working on a new perspective to combat South African coronavirus strain after early data suggested The effectiveness of AstraZeneca Plc has limited efficacy against mild disease caused by the variant.
There is not yet enough information from research to show whether the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is effective in preventing severe Covid-19 cases, hospitalization and deaths, the company said in a statement.
Sarah Gilbert, who led the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination program, said work was already underway to modify the vaccine to specifically address the South African diversity. The new photo is “very likely” to be available before the autumn, she said.
“Technology is easy to change,” Gilbert said in an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday. “This year we hope to show that the new version of the vaccine will create antibodies that recognize the new variant and then it will be very similar to working on the flu vaccines.”
The variability first identified in South Africa is emerging as a major threat to the world’s prospects for ending the pandemic as countries eradicate. original vaccine doses. Although vaccine makers said their pictures they seem to be maintaining effectiveness against changes in the UK, pharma companies are racing to develop enhanced views against new layers as the virus grows.
Early Study
A new study with a relatively small sample size of more than 2,000 people, first reported in the Financial Times, suggested that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine offered less protection against South African sex. None of the participants in the study died or were hospitalized, according to the paper, which said the study has not yet been peer-reviewed and is due to be published Monday.
“We believe our vaccine could protect against serious disease, as it has antibody-neutralizing activity to the other Covid-19 vaccine that has been shown to work against more severe disease, especially when the dosing period is increased to 8-12 weeks, ”AstraZeneca said.
Gilbert said conventional vaccines may not only reduce the number of cases of the South African variety, but will reduce deaths, hospitalizations and severe cases of the disease. “That’s very important for healthcare systems. Even if we have mild and asymptomatic diseases, people being admitted to hospital with Covid would have a big impact, ”she said.
UK Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the country’s vaccines have “some effect” on the South African species, as well as the British version. “We use the vaccines we have, they offer that protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death, and that’s what we have to do,” he said in an interview with the BBC. Sunday.
Earlier this week, Astra’s executive vice president for biopharmaceutical research halted expectations about how the vaccine would work against the variant.
“It will come as no surprise to us to see lower efficiency,” said Mene Pangalos. “There is expected to be less activity.”