AstraZeneca vaccine particularly effective in people aged 65+, a Scottish study finds

Published by Laurent de Sortiraparis · Published on March 4th, 2021 at 02:04 p.m.
Is AstraZeneca vaccine effective against severe Covid in elderly people? This is what a study carried out by the Edinburgh and Glasgow universities found, only available in preprint and currently studied to be published. If approved by a scientific committee, this observation could be a game changer for the French vaccination strategy.

A study likely to change things in the French vaccination strategy… According to works carried out by scientists from the Edinburg and Glasgow universities, as well as the Public Health Scotland, AstraZeneca vaccine is particularly effective in people over the age of 65, especially against severe Covid. A preliminary preprint study that has yet to be approved by a committee of experts, but that might enable vaccinations campaign to escalate.

If this paper makes it through validation – which should be the case – it is expected to lead us to adjust our vaccination strategy” Pr. Alain Fischer – French government’s “M. Vaccine” – explained this Thursday February 25 during a press brief. And for good reason: the Haute Autorité de Santé has not recommended the use of this vaccine in people aged 65+ for now, because of not enough data available for this age range in clinical trials carried out by the laboratory when elaborating the serum, but recommendations might change if need be.

Fischer goes on: “not only is AstraZeneca vaccine as effective as Pfizer in real life, but also in the most fragile people.” He concludes: “the most important thing is to prevent a quick leap forward in clinical and ICU admissions. These vaccines seem to be able to make it possible. It’s crucial, as the Haute Autorité de Santé will address the issue of vaccinating people between 65 and 75 years of age”.

As for the Scottish study, it proved – based on vaccination, death toll, admission, hospitalization toll data between December 8, 2020 and January 15, 2021 – the number of severe infections dropped by 85% in people vaccinated with Pfizer and 94% in those given AstraZeneca vaccine. As for people aged 80+, hospitalization risk also dropped by 81%, whatever vaccine has been used… Hence the hope AstraZeneca is effective in the oldest people. For the record, this study has also confirmed vaccines are effective from the first shot. Good news amid the fight against this pandemic, then.

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