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Tag: AstraZeneca

  • Why WHO wants use of AstraZeneca vaccine to continue despite fears

    Why WHO wants use of AstraZeneca vaccine to continue despite fears

    Despite fears over usage, the World Health Organization (WHO) has again recommended the continuous use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine.

    Recall a number of countries in the European Union have temporarily suspended use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

    The countries suspended use of the vaccine as a precautionary measure based on reports of rare blood coagulation disorders in persons who had received the vaccine.

    Other countries in the EU – having considered the same information – have decided to continue using the vaccine in their immunization programmes.

    The WHO in a statement said at this time, it considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue.

    A statement published on WHO’s website on Wednesday reads: “Vaccination against COVID-19 will not reduce illness or deaths from other causes.

    “Thromboembolic events are known to occur frequently. Venous thromboembolism is the third most common cardiovascular disease globally.

    “In extensive vaccination campaigns, it is routine for countries to signal potential adverse events following immunization.

    “This does not necessarily mean that the events are linked to vaccination itself, but it is good practice to investigate them. It also shows that the surveillance system works and that effective controls are in place.

    “WHO is in regular contact with the European Medicines Agency and regulators around the world for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine safety.

    “The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is carefully assessing the latest available safety data for the AstraZeneca vaccine. Once that review is completed, WHO will immediately communicate the findings to the public.

    “At this time, WHO considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue”.

  • Ireland recommends suspending use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

    Ireland recommends suspending use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

    The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine taskforce of Ireland has recommended the temporary suspension of the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

    The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) made the recommendation on Sunday, following reports of blood clots in adults who received the shot.

    “The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended that the administration of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca be temporarily deferred from this morning,” Ireland’s deputy chief medical officer Ronan Glynn said in a statement.

    He said the recommendation has been made “on the precautionary principal” after “a report from the Norwegian Medicines Agency of four new reports of serious blood clotting events in adults after vaccination”.

  • AstraZeneca vaccine has no side effect –NAFDAC DG

    AstraZeneca vaccine has no side effect –NAFDAC DG

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, has stated that the Astrazeneca vaccine recently inaugurated and distributed to states to treat COVID-19 has no side effect.

    Adeyeye, who stated this on Thursday in Abuja, shortly after she got vaccinated, said that NAFDAC went through the application dossier of the vaccine before it was approved to be administered on Nigerians for the treatment of COVID-19.

    “When we got the dossier or the application package of the vaccine, we went through it line by line, but before we got the application itself, we went through other assessments.

    “I am talking about their assessment report so that we are prepared and guided when we start our own and that was exactly what happened.

    “We conclude based on quality, safety and efficacy because we have to depend on the report, this particular AstraZeneca vaccine, over 20, 000 people were involved in phase three of the report,’’ she said.

    Adeyeye said that the effectiveness of AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the risk, as it has already been examined.

    She noted that there was no medicine without its side effect, especially when still going through the developmental stage.

    The director-general said that from all indications of quality and efficacy, the benefit of AstraZeneca vaccine outweighs the risk and the side effect.

    She said that the agency also believed in herbal medicine, but it must be backed with research before such could be approved.

    She added that such herbal medicine must be antiviral to cater for various illnesses.

    Adeyeye said that the agency had accommodated 14 of such herbal medicine for listing to ascertain whether it was safe to use it.

    She said that the agency must also do its own clinical trials before any herbal medicine would be approved.

    She disclosed that the Federal Government had arranged for a research and development scheme for the health sector, adding that, a lot of herbal medicine were going to be used for the testing.

    NAN

     

  • See first person to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria [PHOTOS]

    See first person to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria [PHOTOS]

    The first dose of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine was administered for the first time in Nigeria to a frontline medical doctor on Friday in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the COVID-19 vaccine was administered to the frontline medical doctor at the National Hospital, Abuja.

    Dr Ngong Cyprian, who has been working at the COVID-19 isolation centre at the National Hospital, Abuja since March 2020, is the first person in Nigeria to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

    https://twitter.com/tngbreaking/status/1367779672986181634?s=19

    Other health care workers that joined Dr Ngong to first receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in Nigeria are Nurse Faith E. Eragbai, Dr. Nuru Joseph and Dr. Thairu Yunusa.

    See photos below:

     

    TNG reports Nigeria started the COVID-19 vaccination after the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines passed assessment by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDC).

    While Dr Ngong is a Family Physician at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Yunusa is a Pathologist with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

    Ngon had been the Head of the COVID-19 Isolation Centre at National Hospital Abuja since February 2020 when the virus was first detected in Nigeria.

    The third person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Samudeen is the National Hospital Abuja Family Physician at the Accident and Emergency unit.

    With today’s occasion, Nigeria is now set to go ahead and use the 3.924 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine which arrived the country on March 2 through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government had launched a website where Nigerians could log on and register for the vaccination.

    Government, therefore, advised citizens to log on to the website on NPHCDC website.

    The healthcare development agency said that “to register for the COVID-19 vaccination, visit our website — nphcda.gov.ng — and click on ‘COVID-19 vaccination e-registration.”

     

  • Edo receives doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines

    Edo receives doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines

    The Edo government says it has received doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for distribution in the state.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Wednesday.

    According to him, the doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are in the custody of the state government, with the government finalising arrangements for its deployment across the state.

    “The state is preparing a localised distribution mechanism for the rollout of the vaccines in line with the national plan.

    “The Edo state government is in custody of doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines received from the Federal Government for distribution in the state.

    “We are preparing a local distribution network for rolling out the vaccines in line with the national plan, he said.

  • Watch video of AstraZeneca vaccines delivery to Nigeria

    Watch video of AstraZeneca vaccines delivery to Nigeria

    Nigeria on Tuesday received 3.94 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India(SII) and shipped via the COVAX Facility.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the country via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The delivery was handled by airport and aviation service provider, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO).

    Watch video of delivery below:

    https://twitter.com/tngbreaking/status/1366717108994859009?s=19

    TNG reports COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF, the World Bank, civil society organisations, manufacturers and others.

    The UN system said the arrival marked a historic step towards the goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what would be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.

    It said the delivery was part of a first wave of arrivals in Nigeria that would continue in the coming days and weeks.

    Edward Kallon, UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, reiterated the commitment of the UN to support the vaccination campaign in the country and help contain the spread of the virus.

    “The arrival of these vaccines in Abuja today marks a milestone for the COVAX Facility in its unprecedented effort to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally by the end of 2021.

    “The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine will enable the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to commence the vaccination of Nigerians in priority groups, starting with frontline healthcare workers,” he said.

    Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director for Country Programmes at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said it was a landmark moment for Nigeria and the COVAX Facility’s mission to help end the acute phase of the pandemic by enabling equitable access to the vaccines across the world.

    “We are glad to see Nigeria is among the first receiving the doses from COVAX, thanks to the excellent level of preparedness put in place by the Government of Nigeria.

    “Gavi looks forward to these vaccines being made available to the people most at risk, as soon as possible, and to ensuring that routine immunisation services for other life-threatening infections are also delivered to avoid other disease outbreaks,” he said.

    Also, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, said it was heart-warming “to witness this epoch-making event.”

    “WHO wishes to congratulate the government of Nigeria for its participation in the global vaccine collaboration (COVAX) efforts and its commitment to protecting Nigerians against this pandemic.

    “These vaccines have undergone rigorous regulatory processes at global and country level and have been deemed safe and effective,” Mulombo said.

    According to him, vaccines are a critical new tool in the battle against COVID-19 and therefore, Nigeria’s participation is a step in the right direction.

    Similarly, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Country Representative, emphasised the importance of vaccines, adding that the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines into Nigeria was critical in curbing the pandemic.

    “After a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, today we celebrate the efforts being made in getting the vaccine to Nigeria.

    “With more than 150,000 Nigerians infected with the virus and over 1,800 lives lost, the path to recovery for the people of Nigeria can finally begin.

    “This is a very significant occasion and the only way out of this crisis is to ensure that vaccinations are available to all,” Hawkins said.

    The UN system in Nigeria said COVAX had built a diverse portfolio of vaccines suitable for a range of settings and populations and was on track to meet its goal of delivering at least 2 billion doses of vaccine to participating countries around the globe in 2021.

    This, the UN said included at least 1.3 billion donor-funded doses to the 92 lower-income COVAX Facility participants supported by the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC).

    The COVAX Facility is expected to deliver around 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the African region in the first quarter of 2021 and has committed to providing up to 600 million doses to the region by the end of 2021 to cover 20 per cent of the population.

  • South Africa settles for U.S. COVID-19 vaccine brand after rejecting UK’s AstraZeneca

    South Africa settles for U.S. COVID-19 vaccine brand after rejecting UK’s AstraZeneca

    South Africa will proceed with the planned coronavirus immunisation campaign using Johnson & Johnson vaccines instead of Oxford/AstraZeneca’s, which is deemed ineffective against the South African COVID-19 variant.

    The country’s Health Minister, Zwelini Mkhize said on Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that that on Monday, South Africa stopped the AstraZeneca vaccines rollout after a study published by the Wits Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit.

    The unit said that it showed that the vaccines offered minimal protection against mild-to-moderate forms of COVID-19 caused by the mutated coronavirus strain known as B.1.351, which was originally identified in South Africa in November.

    “`It is as a result of this work, in which the government had directly invested that it was established that the AstraZeneca vaccines does not prevent mild to moderate disease of the 501Y.V2 variant.

    “Given the outcomes of the efficacy studies, the Department of Health will continue with the planned phase 1 vaccination using the Johnson & Johnson vaccines instead of the AstraZeneca vaccines,’’ Mkhize said in a statement.

    According to the country’s health authorities, the Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been proven effective against the 501Y.V2 variant.

    The U.S-made vaccines will be used to inaugurate phase one of the mass vaccination campaign, in which South Africa’s 1.25 million health workers will be inoculated first.

    In late January, Johnson & Johnson said that its vaccine candidate was 66 per cent effective in preventing moderate to severe cases of COVID-19.

    The vaccine proved to be 85 per cent effective in preventing severe disease and provided complete protection against hospitalisation and death 28 days after the shot.

    Earlier, the company applied for the vaccine’s authorisation in the United States.

  • UK approves Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

    UK approves Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

    The UK on Wednesday approved Oxford University-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

    AstraZeneca, in a statement, said that the first doses are being released so that vaccinations may begin early in the new year.

    “The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has provided authorisation for an emergency supply of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, formerly AZD1222.

    ”This is for the active immunisation of individuals 18 years or older,” the company said.

    The authorisation recommends two doses administered with an interval of between four and 12 weeks.

    This regimen was shown in clinical trials to be safe and effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, with no severe cases and no hospitalisations more than 14 days after the second dose.

    The company said it aims to supply millions of doses in the first quarter as part of an agreement with the government to supply up to 100 million doses in total.

    “Today is an important day for millions of people in the UK who will get access to this new vaccine. It has been shown to be effective, well-tolerated, simple to administer, and is supplied by AstraZeneca at no profit.

    ”We would like to thank our many colleagues at AstraZeneca, Oxford University, the UK government, and the tens of thousands of clinical trial participants,” it quoted Chief Executive Officer, Pascal Soriot, as saying.

    Matt Hancock, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said that the vaccine would be made available to some of the poorest regions of the world.

    Hancock said the vaccine will be available at a low cost, helping protect countless people from this “awful” disease.

    “I want to thank every single person who has been part of this British success story.

    ”While it is a time to be hopeful, it is so vital everyone continues to play their part to drive down infections,” he said.