Updates 2/3/2021
Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Prevents Transmission and is 76% Effective
Oxford/AZ reported their vaccine was 76% effective after the first dose. This effectiveness increased to 82% when a second dose was given 12 weeks after the first. This finding could have major implications as far as vaccinating lots of people quickly, while also providing significant immunity. Countries could administer first doses rapidly, without worrying about supply for second doses so soon after the first.
The companies also tested the vaccine’s effectiveness at reducing COVID transmission. The data showed a 67% reduction in transmission after vaccination.
Read the in-depth report here.
American Government Purchases Ellume At-Home Rapid Tests
In an effort to make testing widely available, the Biden administration made a deal with Ellume to increase availability of their at-home rapid test in the U.S. The contract also includes funding to build an Ellume manufacturing plant in the U.S., which will allow production of over 500,000 tests per day. The first shipment of tests will begin in February.
The test involves using a small nasal swab to collect a sample. This sample is fed into the small, at-home analyzer, which links to a smartphone app, and results are returned in 15 minutes. The test will be available without prescription, and will cost about $30. Clinical trials have showed the test to be about 96% accurate.
People Infected With COVID May Only Need One Dose
A study on healthcare workers previously infected with COVID showed that antibody levels after one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines peaked in a manner similar to peaks shown by someone not previously infected with COVID who got two doses of the vaccine. In other words, the vaccine elicited a boost in immunity provided by the initial COVID infection.
While the study did not compare antibody levels after two doses of the vaccine in non-COVID patients vs. one dose of the vaccine in COVID patients directly, the immune response after the vaccine suggests the possibility of delaying second doses for those who previously had COVID, thus opening up doses for more people in the community.
J&J and Novavax Vaccine Data Released
After much anticipation, Johnson and Johnson, finally released their vaccine data last week. The vaccine showed 72% effectiveness against the predominant variant in the U.S., and 57% effectiveness against the South African variant. While this is less effective than the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, the vaccine still provides significant immunity compared to vaccines such as that of the flu, which provides 40-60% effectiveness.
Novavax also released vaccine data, stating that its preliminary data shows 90% effectiveness against the British variant., and 50% effectiveness against the South African variant. Given the data, Novavax has already begun working on vaccines against the new variants that could be used as a booster or administered with the first dose.
Stay tuned for a post on how these vaccines work differently than that of Pfizer or Moderna!