SA to get Oxford vaccine amongst others

 

The following are the reasons why the Oxford/AstraZeneca is a good option.

ChAdOx1 has been tested in South Africa with our demographic and environmental factors (https://biotechscope.com/oxford-universitys-fridge-stored-covid-19-vaccine-is-90-effective/);

ChAdOx1 was tested with the participation of one of our leading universities (Wits) and hence its selection will demonstrate trust of our local academic community and professionals (https://www.wits.ac.za/covid19vaccine/oxford-covid-19-vaccine-trial/);

ChAdOx1 does not use mRNA (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/23/oxford-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-everything-we-know-so-far), unlike other vaccines, which is causing a lot of fear (ill-founded) about DNA modification in social media, hence driving vaccine resistance (https://www.businessinsider.co.za/by-mid-december-47-of-south-africans-said-they-refuse-a-coronavirus-jab-up-sharply-from-oct-2021-1);

ChAdOx1 can be stored in a normal refrigerator and does not require super cooling to remain viable (Ref: 1 above);

AstraZeneca have indicated that they will charge cost price ($2-10) per dose rather than profiteer (https://www.businessinsider.co.za/covid-vaccine-2020-11).

It requires two doses (first a half dose, and second a full dose 28 days later) to be 90% effective, which to our reading means that they have not made exaggerated claims of efficacy. (Ref: 1 above).

Supporting journal articles published in The Lancet are available at http://www.thelancet.com/retrieve/pii/S0140673620326611 and https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32466-1

https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2021/01/07/update-on-sars-cov-2-vaccine-rollout-strategy/

However I understand that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has similar properties.


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