Distrust in AstraZeneca Vaccine... Rapid Increase in Stockpile Across Europe

AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] The Financial Times (FT) reported on the 27th (local time) that distrust in the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by AstraZeneca (AZ) and Oxford University is growing in Europe, leading to an accumulation of stock.

According to FT, as of the 26th, France had used only 16% of the 1.1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine supplied, while Italy had used about 200,000 doses out of 1 million supplied. Germany released just over 20% of the 1.45 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine it received into the market.

The notably low usage rate of the AstraZeneca vaccine is because countries are restricting its use in the elderly until sufficient data regarding its efficacy is provided. In Spain, vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine is prohibited for those aged 55 and older. Germany and Italy also do not vaccinate those aged 65 and above. In France, the AstraZeneca vaccine is administered only to those aged 50-64 and healthcare workers.

The fact that the AstraZeneca vaccine is ineffective against the variant virus that emerged in South Africa is also fueling distrust in the vaccine. Although Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have also been found vulnerable to the South African variant, FT reported that the AstraZeneca vaccine is analyzed to be almost ineffective.

As the usage rate of the AstraZeneca vaccine remains low and stocks accumulate, countries are taking measures. German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized, "There are issues with the AstraZeneca vaccine," but added, "It is not to the extent that vaccination is impossible."

Meanwhile, there are expectations that Germany will soon approve the AstraZeneca vaccine for those aged 65 and older. According to The Guardian and others, Thomas Mertens, chairman of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) vaccination committee, recently appeared on German ZDF broadcasting and said, "There is a possibility of approving the AstraZeneca vaccine for the elderly," and "We plan to issue updated new recommendations soon."