Thread by @IndianExpress

An analysis of real-world data from the UK details the effectiveness of Pfizer & #AstraZeneca vaccines against two variants of the #SARSCoV2 coronavirus: one, denoted as B.1.1.7, with its origins in Kent, UK, and the second, denoted as B.1.617.2, that was first detected in India.

Indian public policy has massive interest in this information since the broader B.1.617 variant is expected to, if it has not already, become the dominant strain of the disease within the population in India.
#COVID19

Efficacy data for interdose duration for some of the groups is:
2-dose efficacy with 12 weeks gap: 80%
The trial found that a single-dose had a similar efficacy for up to 90 days.
In addition to proving safety, the trial’s purpose was to establish efficacy of the two-dose regimen

In summary, the study clearly demonstrated the efficacy of the two-dose regimen. It suggested that increasing the gap between two doses could increase efficacy, and a single dose showed similar efficacy as two doses up to 90 days post-dose. bit.ly/3wsZ9vl

"In India, the urgent need is to reduce cases of severe disease, and decrease burden on medical infrastructure. Data showed #vaccinations are an effective tool to achieve this. Even a single dose showed some efficacy towards reducing severe disease," writes Dr. Tushar Gore.

In the new study, 1,054 individuals were tested for the B.1.617.2 variant with 244 having received the #AstraZeneca vaccine. The effectiveness of the AZ vaccine (two-dose regimen) versus this variant was 59.8%. In comparison, the effectiveness against the B.1.1.7 was 66.1%.

The crucial parameter for public policy, however, is the effectiveness against severe disease since this number will dictate the burden on the hospitals and medical infrastructure. indianexpress.com/article/explai…
#COVID19 #AstraZeneca