INFOVAX: Take or not? Questions about the AstraZeneca vaccine - Free Malaysia Today
INFOVAX is back. The segment went quiet for a while, and this was really due to the fact that there were not many new vaccine updates over the past few weeks, and if you did not quite realise, this segment had already explained in depth about the concerns pertaining to the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and how it worked quite a while ago.
What has changed though? In this past month seemingly everything. Enough hype and misinformation has been spread about the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine that even in Malaysia, the government has had little choice but to move it out of the list of compulsory vaccines to be provided under the National Vaccination Programme. I am sorrowfully chalking this one up as nothing but a win for pseudoscience.
Luckily however, the government has creatively decided to work its way around the problem of resistance to the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and is now offering it as a voluntary, first-come first serve option for everyone in KL and Selangor beginning the 2nd of May 2021. Immediately you can see that everyone is busy sharing this on their WhatsApp group chats and on their Facebook feeds. Unsurprisingly, many are confused on whether they should or should not register for the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and receive it, or not.
Here, we share accurate, validated data and answers to some common questions popping up over cyberspace which may help you to decide on whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and whether it is worth for you to take it.
Data continues to show that the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective. Those volunteering for it have an excellent opportunity to receive the protection conferred by vaccination against Covid-19 which may be long in coming if you were to wait for your turn as per the normal queue. With the rising numbers of infections, complications and deaths, this is one shot you may need as quickly as you can.
YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE COVID-19 VACCINE: ANSWERED
Question: People from what ages are suitable to receive the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine?
i) WHO, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) state that the vaccine is able to be used by anyone aged 18 years and above.
ii) However, quite a few countries including Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany and France have recommended usage by those aged 60 years and above.
iii) Britain has stated that healthy people between 18-24 should get another vaccine if it is available
iv) Denmark has completely halted usage of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine
In short, those over the age of 60 would be easy volunteers for the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine
Question: Why does the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine seem more suitable for older people above 60 years old?
The risk for the much-worried about blood clots among older people vaccinated with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is even lower than expected statistically. In fact there were almost no reports of blood clots in older aged patients who were vaccinated.
Question: Who then is at risk for blood clots if vaccinated with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine ?
It has to be stressed again here that the absolute risk of getting blood clots were very low in those vaccinated with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The total number of cases were 209 out of 22 million doses administered (a rate of 9.3/million doses).
A larger number of these cases were women under 60 years old hence why the recommendations as mentioned above by certain countries.
Question: How many people have been vaccinated with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine ?
In the EU so far, some 35 million doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine has been given while in India, under the brand Covishield, more than 100 million doses have been administered so far. The safety reporting data from all these individuals indicate that the vaccine is safe for use.
Question: How many doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine must be given and at what intervals ?
The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is also a two-dose vaccine and the second dose should be given 8-12 weeks after the first dose. This is longer than the 21 days recommended for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Interestingly scientists have discovered that a longer interval between the first and second dose induces a stronger immune response in the vaccinated individual.
Question: How effective is the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine?
In its clinical trials, the vaccine had an efficacy of 81% in international trials and 76% in US trials of reducing mild or moderate disease; as well as having an efficacy of 100% in preventing severe disease with or without hospitalisation or death due to Covid-19 infections. The vaccine has been used in large numbers in the UK and is credited with the widespread reductions of Covid-19 infections there.
Question: Is the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine effective against new variants?
Data available at present indicates the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is effective against the B.1.1.7 variant found predominantly in the U.K. It did not seem to be as effective against the B.1.351 variant in South Africa but the data was not conclusive as the trial involved only small numbers overall.
Question: Is the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine safe to be used in those with chronic diseases?
As mentioned constantly and consistently, those with chronic diseases are at a higher risk of Covid-19 infections and its attendant complications. As such they should be vaccinated, as quickly as possible. The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine has been shown to be safe to be used in those with chronic disease, and especially safe in older people as explained above. With the exception of those with severe known allergies, others should be able to be vaccinated with this vaccine with no severe issues.
If you would like to get caught up on previous topics covered under this series, they are available as per the link below:
INFOVAX is a community education and awareness series on Covid-19 vaccines brought to you by the Malaysian Medical Association Public Health Society (MMA PHS). Feel free to ask questions and clear your doubts about Covid-19 vaccines by putting them to us at [email protected]. Your questions and answers will be collated and answered in the following sessions.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DATA ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA