All You Need to Know About the COVID-19 AstraZeneca Vaccine

How Efficacious is the Vaccine?

The EU medicines agency (EMA), EMA has thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for people aged 18 and above. The AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 has an efficacy of 63.09% against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Longer dose intervals within the 8 to 12 weeks range are associated with greater vaccine efficacy.

Does the Vaccine Prevent Infection & Transmission?

There is no substantive data available related to impact of ADZ1222 on transmission or viral shedding. In the meantime, we must maintain and strengthen public health measures that work, namely, masking, physical distancing handwashing, respiratory and cough hygiene, avoiding crowds and ensuring good ventilation. As of 19 April 2021, the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective at protecting people from the extremely serious risks of COVID-19, including death, hospitalization and severe disease (WHO, 2021).

Concerns about the AstraZeneca Vaccine

The EU medicines agency (EMA) has said clotting should be listed as a rare vaccine side effect. After a study looking at 86 such cases in the EU, the EMA concluded the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risk and that there was no definite causal link.

Warning and Precautions

Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before you get vaccinated if:

• You have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after any other vaccine injection.
• You currently have a severe infection with a high temperature (over 38°C).

However, a mild fever or infection, like a cold, are not reasons to delay vaccination.