(Newser)
– Many Europeans are desperate for a coronavirus vaccine. But not just any vaccine. As AstraZeneca vaccines are being rolled out to European Union countries this month, in addition to the doses of Pfizer and Moderna already available, some people are reluctant to receive a vaccine that they consider – reasonably or not – the second best. Poland began vaccinating teachers on Friday with the AstraZeneca vaccine, reports the AP, and some feared being put in line for a vaccine they believe to be less effective than others. A Warsaw educator, who was infected in November and made a slow recovery, said that no one at her school was enthusiastic about the AstraZeneca injection. But many signed up, looking forward to any protection against the virus. “I still fear the disease more than the AstraZeneca vaccine,” she said. AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, acknowledged the criticism, but said that regulators reviewed the data and found the vaccine safe and effective. “Is it perfect? No, it’s not perfect, but it’s great,” said Soriot on Thursday. “We will save thousands of lives”.
Although regulators in more than 50 countries and the EU drug watchdog have authorized the widespread use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine, it has attracted most criticism due to concerns about its testing in humans. Several European countries recommend the drug only for people under 65, and other countries recommend it for those under 55, because AstraZeneca’s tests 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 95% effective reported by Pfizer and Moderna, but experts warn against comparisons, as studies were done at different times and under different conditions. But in Poland, Spain and Italy, some unions complained that their members should receive the product, expressing concerns that they were being treated as less important than the groups receiving doses of Pfizer or Moderna. Some Italian doctors are refusing injections, saying they want injections from Pfizer or Moderna for public health professionals. A teacher in Poland said, “This is just another example of our place being shown.” (The AstraZeneca vaccine will now be tested on children.)