Poor AstraZeneca messaging distracts from sound data on Covid-19 vaccine, scientists say
Scientists who have watched with dismay a series of disputes over AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine say strong efficacy data from a large US trial should lay concerns to rest, but worry the skirmishes may leave a lasting mark on public trust.
Spats with governments across Europe about production, supplies, possible side effects and the vaccine's merits have dogged the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker for months. And a highly unusual public rebuke from US scientists monitoring the government-funded trial this week added to its woes...
Scientists who have watched with dismay a series of disputes over AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine say strong efficacy data from a large US trial should lay concerns to rest, but worry the skirmishes may leave a lasting mark on public trust.
Spats with governments across Europe about production, supplies, possible side effects and the vaccine's merits have dogged the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker for months. And a highly unusual public rebuke from US scientists monitoring the government-funded trial this week added to its woes.
While the disputes have raised questions about AstraZeneca's messaging and communications, what is crucial, scientists say, is that the product at the heart of all this appears sound.
On Thursday, the company said the vaccine was 76 percent effective in an updated analysis of its US trial after providing a slightly higher efficacy figure that was criticised for not being based on the most up-to-date data.
"One has to distinguish between the strong, positive, data from the US trial on the one hand, and the amazing ability of AstraZeneca's press-release messaging to continually rescue defeat from the jaws of victory," said Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London.
Among researchers working to develop vaccines, treatments and other weapons against Covid-19, the frustration is evident.
- Reuters
