Covid-19: Oxford researchers halt vaccine trial while adverse reaction is investigated
BMJ 2020; 370 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3525 (Published 09 September 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;370:m3525Read our latest coverage of the coronavirus outbreak
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Dear Editor
Oxford University and AstraZeneca have paused testing of its COVID-19 vaccine recently due to one case of adverse reactions.[1] According to the School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in London, COVID-19 vaccine subjects enrolled can reach 380,000. This is the first adverse event. It will provoke more discussion about whether research institutions should ensure vaccine safety or shorten research time as a priority. Obviously, we don’t have 10 years to develop COVID-19 vaccines. While this hopeful vaccine is halted, there are thousands of people dying from COVID-19 each day globally. The cost of delaying research is huge. We need standard review processes, but much more efficient than usual.
People expect a perfect vaccine provides Long-term protection and applies to different races and ages, especially the elderly. In fact, there are 211 vaccines in trial. The shortcomings of a single vaccine can be improved by the combination of several vaccines. Corey has suggested it might require several different vaccines to bring an end to the pandemic.[2] We have preventive measures such as physical distancing interventions[3] and protective equipment[4]. Imperfect vaccines can curtail the COVID-19 epidemic[5] under this condition.
It is encouraging that governments are promoting vaccine distribution.[6,7] It is reasonable to expedite vaccine approvals during a state of emergency. The vaccine approval process is designed to protect us, not to bring down societies and economies. It is necessary for the government to accelerate the tracking and review of vaccines under the pressure of the epidemic. We also need to be aware that the upcoming flu season will further aggravate the epidemic. If vaccines are not distributed this year, flu season would aggravate the epidemic and even cause a second wave.
Reference:
1 Mahase E. Covid-19: Oxford researchers halt vaccine trial while adverse reaction is investigated. BMJ. 2020;370:m3525. doi:10.1136/bmj.m3525
2 Corey L, Mascola JR, Fauci AS, et al. A strategic approach to COVID-19 vaccine R&D. Science. 2020;368(6494):948-950. doi:10.1126/science.abc5312
3 Islam N, Sharp SJ, Chowell G, et al. Physical distancing interventions and incidence of coronavirus disease 2019: natural experiment in 149 countries. BMJ. 2020;370:m2743. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2743
4 Liu M, Cheng SZ, Xu KW, et al. Use of personal protective equipment against coronavirus disease 2019 by healthcare professionals in Wuhan, China: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2020;369:m2195. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2195
5 Iboi EA, Ngonghala CN, Gumel AB. Will an imperfect vaccine curtail the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.?. Infect Dis Model. 2020;5:510-524. doi:10.1016/j.idm.2020.07.006
6 Mahase E. Covid-19: UK agrees "early access" deal with companies to get 90 million vaccine doses. BMJ. 2020;370:m2914. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2914
7 Caddy S. Developing a vaccine for covid-19. BMJ. 2020;369:m1790. doi:10.1136/bmj.m1790
Competing interests: No competing interests
Dear Editor,
Biologic Products can lead to a vast array of Adverse Effects; many of them manifest late. Subacute Sclerosing Pan Encephalitis (SSPE) can develop 1 to 30 years after exposure to a Virus or a Vaccine; the average time before SSPE Manifests is about 7 years from such exposure. So, certainly however large the Trial Group is, such late manifesting Adverse Effects will not surface in the short time that the Fast Track Trials are trying to prove the Safety of the Vaccines.
It should not become a case of a Cure worse than the Disease.
Arvind Joshi; MBBS, MD; FCGP, FAMS, FICP;
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re: Covid-19: Oxford researchers halt vaccine trial while adverse reaction is investigated
Dear Editor
On grounds of age, I am regarded susceptible to death from Covid-19. Therefore likely to be pressured to receive a jab.
I do appreciate the noble intentions.
I also know that I will not be alive by the time I might develop Subacute Sclerosing Pan Encephalitis.
Nevertheless I am timid. And until the vaccine which will become available in England is produced with the same care as vaccines have been produced in the past, by the good scientists of the good democracies for use in England, I will keep my arms covered.
Competing interests: No competing interests