The COVID-19 Coronavac Vaccine It showed an overall efficacy against the disease of 50.38% in large-scale trials in BrazilThis was announced Tuesday by the Botantan Institute in San Pablo.
The number was released after the vaccine’s effectiveness had sunk in controversy for a week. On January 7, health authorities indicated that this fluctuated between 78 and 100 percent. And they clarified, on Tuesday, that these numbers apply to mild, moderate or severe cases, respectively, and that When considering those who do not require medical attention and are considered “very light,” the overall percentage drops to 50.38 percent..
The vaccine trial, developed by the Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac, It started in July 2020 and more than 13,000 volunteers have participated in it. All of them were health workers of legal age, which meant increased exposure to the virus.
218 people fell ill throughout the test period. 158 of them received placebo and 60 vaccinations. The study did not take into account potential asymptomatic cases, which are believed to account for half of the COVID-19 cases globally.
The Butantan Institute has requested emergency approval for the vaccine Before the National Health Oversight Authority (Anvisa), To start immunization on January 25. Indonesia is also preparing to start vaccinating its population with the Corona vaccine.
Although CoronaVac is far less effective than the more than 90% success rate of vaccines from Moderna or Pfizer and its partner BioNTech, it is easier to transport and can be stored at normal fridge temperatures.
Sinovac also has supply agreements with Turkey, Chile, Singapore, Ukraine and Thailand. Actually, Turkish researchers announced in December that interim studies had shown the vaccine to be 91.25 percent effective at preventing infection..
It is not clear if these numbers refer to mild, moderate, or severe cases, such as those reported by Brazilian authorities last week, or to the overall event, which will show a significant contrast with the numbers reported Tuesday in the South American country. .
Anvisa has a ten day period from submitting the request to give its response. The agreement between the Butantan Institute and Sinovac provides for the shipment of doses to Brazil and the transfer of technology for the local production of the vaccine..
Beijing has already sent Sao Paulo 10.7 million doses and supplies for another 40 million doses. Days ago, Health Minister Eduardo Pazuelo indicated that the country is in the process of concluding an agreement amounting to 100 million doses.
Brazil is one of the countries most affected by the epidemic in the world. It has reported the third largest number of positive cases – more than 8.1 million – and it comes after only India and the United States. In addition, it ranks second on the grim death list, with more than 203,500. The United States, with nearly 378,000, is the only country with the largest number of deaths..
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