AstraZeneca releases updated data after US row which is effectively unchanged (and efficacy is *higher* in most at-risk groups). It's a completely safe, highly effective vaccine.
Lost in all this: AZ is the only vaccine supplier selling their product at cost, under $4 per dose.
Lost in all this: AZ is the only vaccine supplier selling their product at cost, under $4 per dose.
AstraZeneca has made mistakes, no question. But politicians and public health officials from France to the US should consider how their actions have also wrongly undermined confidence in a phenomenally effective, safe vaccine that is most likely to help end the pandemic globally.
In case you're wondering, the new US AZ/Oxford efficacy number was revised down from 79% to 76%, which is basically meaningless statistical noise. Efficacy rose a few points to 85% for over-65s, again likely a change that's effectively statistical noise. Highly effective. Safe.
I keep talking about this because even a small reduction in public confidence in a safe, effective vaccine during a deadly pandemic can cost huge numbers of lives, delay the end of the pandemic, and even help new variants emerge and take root.
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