(Newser)
– Many Europeans are desperate for a coronavirus vaccine. But not just any vaccine. As astraZeneca launches in the European Union this month, joining the Pfizer and Moderna doses already available, some people oppose being offered a vaccine that they perceive – quite or not – as the second most common. good. Poland began vaccinating teachers on Friday with the AstraZeneca vaccine, the AP reports, and some had doubts that they would be put in line for a vaccine that they believe is less effective than others. An educator from Warsaw, who was infected in November and had a slow recovery, said no one at her school was excited about getting the AstraZeneca shot. But many have signed up, eager for any protection against the virus. “I’m still more afraid of the disease than the AstraZeneca vaccine,” she said. AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot acknowledged the criticism, but said regulators analyzed the data and said the vaccine was safe and effective. “Is it perfect? No, it’s not perfect, but it’s wonderful,” Soriot said Thursday. “We will save thousands of lives.”
While regulators in more than 50 countries and the EU Drug Enforcement Authority have authorized the widespread use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine, it has drawn the most criticism due to concerns about its human studies. Several European countries recommend the drug only for people under the age of 65, and other countries recommend it for those under the age of 55, because AstraZeneca studies included a relatively small number of older people. The WHO says the vaccine is about 63% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 after two doses. This is less than the 95% efficiency reported by Pfizer and Moderna, but experts warn against comparisons because the studies were done at different times and under different conditions. But in Poland, Spain and Italy, some unions have complained that their members will receive the product, expressing concern that they are being treated as less important than the groups receiving doses of Pfizer or Moderna. Some Italian doctors refuse the shots, saying they want shots with Pfizer or Moderna for public health workers. A Polish teacher said, “This is just another example of our place.” (The AstraZeneca vaccine will now be tested in children.)