WARSAW, Poland (AP) – Many Europeans are desperate for a vaccine against the coronavirus. But not just any vaccine.
As AstraZeneca shots are rolled out to European Union countries this month, joining the doses of Pfizer and Moderna already available, some people are bald because they are offered a vaccine that they consider – fair or not – second best .
Poland began vaccinating teachers with the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday, and some had doubts whether they would qualify for a vaccine that they believe is less effective than the others.
Ewelina Jankowska, the principal of a primary and secondary school in Warsaw’s southern Wilanow neighborhood, said no one at her school was enthusiastic about getting the AstraZeneca injection, even though many had signed up, desiring some protection from a virus that has turned their lives and their students upside down. ‘education.
“I’m still more afraid of the disease than the AstraZeneca vaccine,” said Jankowska, who was infected with COVID-19 in November and made a very slow recovery.
AstraZeneca, an Anglo-Swedish company, developed its vaccine with the University of Oxford. Although regulatory agencies in more than 50 countries, including the EU drug watchdog, have allowed its widespread use, it has received more criticism than others for concerns about the human trials.
Several European countries have recommended the drug only for people under 65, and other countries have recommended it for people under 55, because AstraZeneca’s studies included a relatively small number of elderly people.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot acknowledged the criticism, but said regulators had reviewed the data and deemed the vaccine safe and effective. There is a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, he said, and the AstraZeneca injection provides a high level of protection against serious disease, which is the most important measure in the fight against a virus that affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide killed.
Is it perfect? No, it’s not perfect, but it’s great, ‘Soriot said on Thursday. “We’re going to save thousands of lives and that’s why we come to work every day.”
The World Health Organization says that the AstraZeneca vaccine is about 63% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 after two doses. That’s less than the 95% effectiveness reported by Pfizer and Moderna, but experts caution against such comparisons as the studies were conducted at different times and under different conditions. In addition, all have proven to be extremely effective in preventing serious illness and death.
“If you are offered an approved vaccine, take it,” said Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. “They have all been found safe. Vaccines are the world’s way back to some kind of normalcy. “
French President Emmanuel Macron angered scientists last month when he called the AstraZeneca vaccine ‘quasi-ineffective’ for people over 65 – a comment that came hours before the European Medicines Agency approved it and said it could be used on all adults, too. for those over 65 years old. Those who criticized Macron argued that he spoke irresponsibly and encouraged vaccination skepticism.
French Health Minister Olivier Veran, who is 40, made a point this week about obtaining the AstraZeneca vaccine to show the government’s confidence in it for those under 65.
In addition to AstraZeneca’s problems, there were also criticisms from the EU over supply shortages, the fact that there was still no approval in the US and a preliminary study that raised questions about the vaccine’s ability to detect a disease in South Africa. COVID-19 variant. However, its advantage is that it is cheaper and can be stored at refrigerator temperatures – not the much colder temperatures required for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
In Cyprus, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou warned that choosing one over the other could delay vaccinations, given limited deliveries of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in the coming weeks, noting that “all three dramatically reduce hospital admissions and deaths. “
Still, some unions in Poland, Spain and Italy complained that their members would receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, voicing concerns that they were treated as less important than groups receiving the Pfizer or Moderna doses.
Police unions in Spain have expressed concern over a government decision to administer AstraZeneca shots to police, military, firefighters and teachers.
Some private sector Italian doctors are refusing AstraZeneca shots, saying they want the Pfizer or Moderna shots to go to public health professionals.
‘I am not AstraZeneca without vax. But for a population at risk, health professionals, they should use the same vaccination strategy for everyone and not cause discrimination, ”said Dr. Paolo Mezzana, a Roman plastic surgeon who helps administer a Facebook group of private doctors. They have refused to accept the AstraZeneca injection after the vaccinations started this week.
In Poland, the government announced earlier this month that the planned delivery of more than 1 million AstraZeneca doses meant that teachers could get their injections earlier than planned because the vaccine would not be given to older adults.
But instead of expressing relief, the head of the main teachers’ union, Slawomir Broniarz, criticized the use of the vaccine in comments that in turn came under fire from scientists and the government.
Michal Dworczyk, who leads the government’s vaccination effort, said he regretted “that some irresponsible politicians or unions have tried to scare teachers or cause such concern by providing false information about the AstraZeneca vaccine.”
Still, a sense of doubt has arisen among teachers, who have been in conflict with the government for years over low wages and unpopular reforms.
Patrycja Swistowska, who teaches second grade at Wilanow School, said she signed up for the AstraZeneca recording despite her fears and confusion.
“I think teachers are treated a bit worse and this is the vaccine they have offered us. They have not offered us the vaccines that have been given to doctors and other professional groups, “said Swistowska, 39.” I am disoriented and don’t feel good about it. We are being paid less and this is another example of how we are shown our place. “
In Italy, the head of the SAP police union, Stefano Paoloni, argued that if officers think they are getting a less effective vaccine through the police, they can refrain and wait to get another shot later if the rest of the population does. is doing. vaccinated. That would nullify the strategy of vaccinating as soon as possible as many people at risk as possible.
Some unions continue to roll out AstraZeneca without complaint, out of gratitude for getting some protection.
Dr. Arianna Patricarca, a 52-year-old Italian dentist who received the AstraZeneca injection on Thursday, called it “a great opportunity and I am very happy that I did it.”
Agnieszka Grabowska, director of the kindergarten in Warsaw, was also delighted to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday.
“It’s a great relief,” said Grabowska, 48, adding that she was exhausted after a year of the pandemic.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment all year,” she said.
Winfield reported from Rome. Associated Press Writers Danica Kirka in London; Aritz Parra in Madrid; Menelaus Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus; Angela Charlton in Paris; and Monika Scislowska in Warsaw contributed.
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