Hailed as a cheap, easy-to-store not-for-profit vaccine, the AstraZeneca shot has suffered a growing number of setbacks.
In the latest, around a dozen countries have suspended its use as a precaution after blood clots suffered by some of those vaccinated.
– ‘Accidentally’ great –
The British laboratory made headlines in November when it claimed its jab could match the 90 percent effectiveness of the rival and much more expensive Pfizer/BioNTech jab, which has to be kept at extremely low temperatures.
But that success rate was only if half a dose was given for the first shot with a full second dose a month later.
However, it later emerged that these results were obtained by accident when a half dose was given by mistake, raising questions about the robustness of the tests.
On average, trials showed it to be about 60 percent effective, though in real-world conditions it has so far performed much better.
– Supply shortages –
The Anglo-Swedish drug company was accused of bad faith by…
Source: Guardian Newspaper
