"Highly effective" and "extremely good": experts defend Astrazeneca vaccine

"Highly effective" and "extremely good"
Professionals defend Astrazeneca vaccine

Astrazeneca's corona vaccine is under discussion. World Medical President Montgomery defends nurses who oppose the vaccine. Patient advocates, experts and also Health Minister Spahn are trying to save the reputation of the active ingredient.

In the debate about the corona vaccine from the British-Swedish manufacturer Astrazeneca, several experts oppose fundamental concerns. The board of directors of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, Eugen Brysch, told the "Rheinische Post": "All vaccines have passed a regular approval process and are highly effective." For the next few months it is foreseeable that not enough vaccines will be available. "That is why priority must be given. As long as that is the case, there can be no choice."

Astrazeneca's vaccine is slightly less effective than Biontech / Pfizer and Moderna. That is why the chairman of the World Medical Association, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, demanded that medical staff and nursing staff not inject this corona vaccine or at least be given an option. The vaccine is just as safe as the others and, according to current studies, does not have any more side effects. "But the lower effectiveness can not be discussed away," said Montgomery also the "Rheinische Post". He understands medical personnel who do not want to be vaccinated with the Astrazeneca vaccine.

In fact, there are reports that the inoculation of the delivered quantities of the Astrazeneca active ingredient is stalling. The Saarland Minister of Health, Monika Bachmann, criticized the fact that 54 percent of 200 people who had registered for a vaccination did not show up on the weekend for a "special vaccination in the medical field" without canceling the appointment. The RBB reported that of the 30,000 cans that had arrived in Berlin since last week, only just under 1,000 had been inoculated. In the capital, under 65-year-olds are also free of whales, so only a few doctors and nurses have chosen Astrazeneca.

Paul Ehrlich Institute examines cases

In addition to the lower effectiveness of the vaccine, reports of severe side effects in vaccinated nursing staff also play a role. The Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) responsible for vaccine control checks this information, also for the vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer: "The drug safety department of the Paul Ehrlich Institute is currently investigating whether the reported reactions go beyond what is in the clinical trials were observed, and whether – if this is the case – reasons for it are recognizable, "said a spokeswoman for the newspapers of the Funke media group. From the clinical trials it is known in principle that the vaccine from Astrazeneca often triggers vaccination reactions, and also that with the two approved mRNA vaccines from Biontech / Pfizer and Moderna, the reactions can be stronger after the second dose. This Thursday, the Federal Institute wants to provide an assessment and classification of all cases that were reported up to and including February 14 in the current safety report.

Virologist Christian Drosten called for the Astrazeneca vaccine to be retained. There is no reason not to work with the drug in Germany, said the Charité virologist in the "Coronavirus Update" podcast at NDR-Info. When he looks at the public discussion about this vaccine, he has the impression that a lot has been misunderstood. Drosten spoke out in favor of building on what he considered to be the "very good" Astrazeneca vaccine in this country. "We have to do everything we can to vaccinate as quickly as possible," said the virologist. "The vaccines we have are extremely good compared to what one might expect. There is always a fly in the ointment somewhere and some people look at it with a magnifying glass." You shouldn't do that. It is important that the vaccines minimize the risk of serious disease.

SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach also defends the Astrazeneca vaccine. He considers the "call to boycott" Montgomery to be "completely irresponsible", he tweeted. He himself will be employed as a vaccination doctor in Leverkusen from the end of February. "The whole team, including myself, will vaccinate us with the Astra vaccine. We trust him."

Health Minister Jens Spahn also expressed confidence-building at ntv and RTL. He emphasized that all three vaccines approved in Germany are safe and provide effective protection against Covid 19 disease. When asked whether Spahn would also be vaccinated with the vaccine from Astrazeneca, Spahn said: "Yes, I would be vaccinated if I were offered a vaccination. Expressly also with Astrazeneca. This is a safe and effective vaccine . "

. (tagsToTranslate) Politics (t) Astrazeneca (t) Biontech (t) Pfizer (t) Moderna (t) Corona vaccine (t) Karl Lauterbach (t) Jens Spahn (t) Frank Ulrich Montgomery (t) Christian Drosten