WHO will likely approve AstraZeneca vaccine

PanARMENIAN.Net - The World Health Organization looks set to approve the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for use in developing countries despite recent data showing it is less effective against the South Africa variant of Covid, Telegram reports.

South African authorities suspended the country's vaccination programme on Monday after a study of just over 2,000 people by researchers at the University of Witwatersrand showed that the jab was only 22 per cent effective at preventing mild to moderate disease in those with the variant.

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (Sage) is meeting this week to decide whether to approve the vaccine, a decision that will trigger its distribution to countries in Africa, south east Asia and Latin America.

At a WHO press conference Dr Kate O’Brien, director of immunisation, vaccines and biologicals at WHO, suggested it was likely that the vaccine would gain approval but said continued monitoring was essential.

“There was a very positive view [at Sage] about proceeding with the use of the vaccine, including in settings where variants are circulating, with a big emphasis on collecting information that would really help,” she said.

It was reported earlier that Armenia will be purchasing the AstraZeneca vaccine against coronavirus for 3% of the population. In the first stage of vaccination, priority will be given to people aged over 65, those who have underlying health conditions and medical workers. In the second stage, teachers, educators, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, military personnel, employees of the justice sector and public transport, as well as civil servants will get Covid-19 shots. The country will also purchase Russian Sputnik V vaccines.