Thanks for further damaging safety/credibility of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the public’s for no good reason. It’s obvious that this was completely political act. Wasn’t Macron spreading the rumor just a few weeks ago that the vaccine isn’t effective for those 65 and older?
Every country has their own system that has different standards. Stop spreading fud, Switzerland that is not very much EU also says they need more data on over 55. The biggest fuzz regarding blood clots was started by Norway, not EU. Americans still haven't approved AZ. The only damage to vaccines are by people who use the political card for vaccines. It's like saying not using sputnik is only political because Lancet agreed with the study.
Why certain people want to treat vaccines like holy cows? Always comes from anglosphere.
“8% effective in over 65s” from the German press, “quasi-ineffective in over 65s” from Macron, and “I’m not going to take it because I’m 67” from Merkel, all sound like there is some politics involved to be.
The Norwegian cases don’t make any sense statistically. If they were correct, we would have seen 100s of cases in the UK by now.
I am in Australia and our government is almost all in on this vaccine. They bought a bit of the BioNTech/Pfizer for our front line people to get started but they bought the rights to make 50 million doses (enough for two for everyone here) of the AstraZeneca domestically in our own facilities rather than have to import it. So I've been watching this with intense interest - because likely this one will be the only option I am offered here while, based on the efficacy data, it looks like I want almost any other one more. But I suppose it is better than nothing? Also does anyone know if I take this one when it is offered can I also double up and take another (better?) one later?
Yes, you can have another vaccine in future when supply is available. Also, recent data shows much improved efficacy if the two shots are done 12 weeks apart (81% vs 55% if taken less than six weeks apart [1]. That is a much better efficacy rating and 12 weeks is in line with the TGA’s recommendation. Given it can be produced locally, cheaply, utilises well developed technology and doesn’t have any storage difficulties it is the best option for Australia right now.
[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2021-03-11/covid-19-vacci...
There has been concerns about Other vaccine as well. Norway had raised concerned about vaccine safety after 29 deaths. We must understand that all these vaccines have been used for emergency situation. Fact is that no vaccine has 100% efficacy.
