Thread by @LLopezGonzalez

Scientists confirm AstraZeneca #COVID19vaccine shows no significant reduction in mild to moderate #COVID19sa in South Africa against new variant but the jab could still show efficacy against serious cases of #COVID19. What does this mean for South Africa's vaccine rollout?

The background: The AstraZeneca #COVID19vaccine phase 2 trial in South Africa included only healthy & HIV-negative adults. Half of the people got the vaccine & half got a placebo of saline solution, which is similar to salt water. #COVID19 #COVID19sa

The study only had enough people to be able to show if the vaccine was at least 60% effective & could not say if it protected against severe #COVID19 - a bigger, phase 3 study would be needed for that. #COVID19sa

The South Africa AstraZeneca trial took place during the tail end of the first wave & during the second wave, which was fuelled by the new variant first discovered in South Africa. The vaccine was designed to address the original virus, and before the new variant was discovered

Until the end of October 2020, the AstraZeneca #COVID19vaccine was able to reduce a person's risk of #COVID19sa becoming infected with the virus just 14 days after injection but this changes as the new variant dominates infections in South Africa #COVID19

But there are other #COVID19vaccines, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, that have been shown to reduce the risk of serious #COVID19sa caused by the variant dominating South Africa, says Shabir Madhi.

The #AstraZeneca #COVID19vaccine may still protect against serious & deadly #COVID19sa cases but only more data will say for sure, Madhi says. "These results are very much a reality check. It's time for us to recalibrate our expectations of vaccines & how we respond."

2-3 #COVID19vaccines are likely to go into clinical trials in the next two months that will be adapted for the variant first discovered by scientists in South Africa, says Shabir Madhi. #COVID19 #COVID19sa

Johnson & johnson recently release data on its one-shot #COVID19vaccine trialled in South Africa. The trial included older people, ppl + those comorbidities like type 2 diabetes, HIV. The shot was 57% effective in preventing cases caused by the new variant. #COVID19sa #COVID19

J&J's #COVID19vaccine was also more effective when scientists looked at how well it worked to prevent serious #COVID19sa cases #COVID19

J&J have applied for emergency use in the US & has a rolling submission in South Africa with SAHPRA, regularly adding more data for the regulator to review, says Glenda Gray. In the next few days, South Africa will know if it can begin giving the jab to health workers #COVID19sa

This is such a great slide from Salim Abdool Karim from tonight's briefing: "We only have published data from four #COVID19vaccines" This is why we've seen delays in the Sinopharm rollout in Africa, for instance. #COVID19 #COVID19sa

Why do vaccines work well against the pre-existing variant? Because they were designed with that variant in mind, Abdool Karim says. #COVID19vaccine #COVID19sa #COVID19

What do we know about #COVID19vaccines and the variant prevalent in South Africa? We're not sure for the majority of vaccines, explains Abdool Karim. #COVID19sa #COVID19

Why did South Africa buy #AstraZeneca before results were in about its efficacy on the new variant in South Africa? At the time of the negotiations last year, results of this trial were not available, Mkhize says. #COVID19 #COVID19sa

Scientists, government will now meet to decide the way forward for South Africa's #AstraZeneca rollout. Meetings are scheduled as soon as tomorrow. After that, the rollout will go forward as an implementation study. #COVID19 #COVID19sa

Healthcare workers will also be getting J&J and Pfizer #COVID19vaccines, Mkhize says. #COVID19 #COVID19sa The govt is discussions with Sputnik & Sinopharm makers following recently published results.

What's up with local #COVID19vaccine production in South Africa? You can check out some great reporting by @catherinetom via @SpotlightNSP here spotlightnsp.co.za/2021/01/28/in-…

You can also check out some background from me here, including what kinds of #COVID19vaccines South Africa could in the future produce via @SpotlightNSP #COVID19 #COVID19sa dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-1…

South Africa will see another wave of #COVID19sa infections in the next 3-4 months, says Shabir Madhi. We know the #AstraZeneca vaccine is safe & will do no harm & may prevent deaths. #COVID19

#AstraZeneca jabs now in-country will expire in April, which the health department only picked up when stocks arrived. The dept is now awaiting comment from Serum to see if we can exchange stock or if the expiry date can be pushed back safely. #COVID19sa

Broadly, there is no plan to send back #AstraZeneca #COVID19vaccine in South Africa. Govt is awaiting feedback from scientists to see what to do with the vaccine / how best to use it, Zweli Mkhize reiterates. #COVID19sa