BFC_BFC_BFC
Well-known member
As this has been a bone of contention, I thought I would do a bit more detailed research to uncover the fact vs fiction.
So firstly a quick point of clarification for those who would refer to themselves as ‘optimists’ and who slate those of us who favour fact over fiction when it comes to important decisions like vaccination as negative or anti-vaccination...I simply say, I am pro-informed choice, where vaccines are concerned.
The Oxford Vaccine trial protocol does NOT include asymptomatic CoViD 19 in the results of their trials and the interim published results, as I have continued to suggest.
For anyone interested the information is set out clearly in the protocol in the US HERE
This is, by no means, bad news and it’s important to remember that limited results, so far have shown a reduction in symptomatic CoViD and no serious cases. Of course, due to mixing of results in the trial (both dosage regimen and national trials) the initially release results are somewhat unclear.
So to that extent there are a few important factors that people ought to be aware of with this particular vaccine.
1. The efficacy in the mixed (international) results are 62% reduction in symptomatic CoViD. These are the only results that, so far, includes a balanced age group.
2. There is a ‘possibility’, that the vaccine may also reduce asymptomatic transmission, but we do not know yet to what extent. This could prove to be very good news, although in comparing vaccines, it may well also be the case in other vaccines (that are seemingly more effective). We know very little about the basis for this claim so far, so it should not be over-stated.... AZ have said that there was a reduction in asymptomatic cases between their two dosage regimen.
3. The vaccine has seen results of 90% reduction in symptomatic CoViD in a limited scope accidental trial. My understanding is that this trial is limited in terms of the age profile and racial profile of individuals involved. The results of any trial should be treated with caution, but this one moreso. I call it accidental, because they got the first dose wrong by accident for a limited number of people and then decided just to plough on regardless. It is likely a further trial would be required to confirm this outcome.
4. The Oxford vaccine is likely to be more stable and easier to store than some of the other vaccines (not the Russian one). This means that distribution (particularly to third world countries) may be easier... Whilst it is envisaged that other technologies will improve in this respect over time, this is currently a huge advantage to get vaccine to lots of people quickly.
5. The Oxford vaccine is likely to only be useful once. This is because the vaccine uses an alternative harmless virus (like the common cold) as a Trojan horse in order to carry part of the CoViD virus involving the spike protein. So second time around the body becomes immune to this host virus and does not mount a new response. (This is considered to be one reason why the low dose / high dose protocol may have been more effective that two high doses).
This is obviously not great if the immunity provided is time limited, but presumably you will be able to get a booster from an alternative vaccine in future.
We may or may not have a choice in which vaccine we decide to take, but it is very important that we pay close attention to ALL the facts and that everyone understands any available options. I think it’s particularly important to understand the effectiveness of the Oxford vaccine for older people
Non of the results are particularly clear, but from a personal perspective, I will be aiming to get access to a vaccine which has shown the highest efficacy and safety standards, rather than where it came from.
I’m not sure if I have missed anything, but if anyone else has any more information or facts to add maybe it will help us to make informed choices as time moves on.
Relevant Vaccine Protocol Outcome (See Link)
Primary Outcome Measures :
So firstly a quick point of clarification for those who would refer to themselves as ‘optimists’ and who slate those of us who favour fact over fiction when it comes to important decisions like vaccination as negative or anti-vaccination...I simply say, I am pro-informed choice, where vaccines are concerned.
The Oxford Vaccine trial protocol does NOT include asymptomatic CoViD 19 in the results of their trials and the interim published results, as I have continued to suggest.
For anyone interested the information is set out clearly in the protocol in the US HERE
This is, by no means, bad news and it’s important to remember that limited results, so far have shown a reduction in symptomatic CoViD and no serious cases. Of course, due to mixing of results in the trial (both dosage regimen and national trials) the initially release results are somewhat unclear.
So to that extent there are a few important factors that people ought to be aware of with this particular vaccine.
1. The efficacy in the mixed (international) results are 62% reduction in symptomatic CoViD. These are the only results that, so far, includes a balanced age group.
2. There is a ‘possibility’, that the vaccine may also reduce asymptomatic transmission, but we do not know yet to what extent. This could prove to be very good news, although in comparing vaccines, it may well also be the case in other vaccines (that are seemingly more effective). We know very little about the basis for this claim so far, so it should not be over-stated.... AZ have said that there was a reduction in asymptomatic cases between their two dosage regimen.
3. The vaccine has seen results of 90% reduction in symptomatic CoViD in a limited scope accidental trial. My understanding is that this trial is limited in terms of the age profile and racial profile of individuals involved. The results of any trial should be treated with caution, but this one moreso. I call it accidental, because they got the first dose wrong by accident for a limited number of people and then decided just to plough on regardless. It is likely a further trial would be required to confirm this outcome.
4. The Oxford vaccine is likely to be more stable and easier to store than some of the other vaccines (not the Russian one). This means that distribution (particularly to third world countries) may be easier... Whilst it is envisaged that other technologies will improve in this respect over time, this is currently a huge advantage to get vaccine to lots of people quickly.
5. The Oxford vaccine is likely to only be useful once. This is because the vaccine uses an alternative harmless virus (like the common cold) as a Trojan horse in order to carry part of the CoViD virus involving the spike protein. So second time around the body becomes immune to this host virus and does not mount a new response. (This is considered to be one reason why the low dose / high dose protocol may have been more effective that two high doses).
This is obviously not great if the immunity provided is time limited, but presumably you will be able to get a booster from an alternative vaccine in future.
We may or may not have a choice in which vaccine we decide to take, but it is very important that we pay close attention to ALL the facts and that everyone understands any available options. I think it’s particularly important to understand the effectiveness of the Oxford vaccine for older people
Non of the results are particularly clear, but from a personal perspective, I will be aiming to get access to a vaccine which has shown the highest efficacy and safety standards, rather than where it came from.
I’m not sure if I have missed anything, but if anyone else has any more information or facts to add maybe it will help us to make informed choices as time moves on.
Relevant Vaccine Protocol Outcome (See Link)
Primary Outcome Measures :
- The efficacy of 2 IM doses of AZD1222 compared to placebo for the prevention of COVID-19 in adults ≥ 18 years of age [ Time Frame: 1 year ]
A binary response, whereby a participant is defined as a COVID-19 case if their first case of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR-positive symptomatic illness occurs
≥ 15 days post second dose of study intervention. Otherwise, a participant is not defined as a COVID-19 case
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