May 3, 2021
AstraZeneca’s COVID19 vaccine Vaxzevria was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and was rolled out in France on February 6, 2021.
There were reports that thromboembolic events occurred after the administration of the vaccine.
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Following these reports, on March 19, HAS recommended using this vaccine in 55 years and above. However, before this announcement, nearly 500,000 people were administered with AstraZeneca vaccine.
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HAS now recommended using mRNA vaccines (COMIRNATY or Covid-19 Moderna vaccine) after 12 weeks as the second dose in people who received AstraZeneca vaccine as the first dose. This recommendation is for patients who were under the age of 55.
HAS commented that the vaccines approved are efficacious and reduce hospitalizations and mortality. Further, vaccines help to reduce transmission.
The preliminary aim of vaccination is to reduce the pressure on hospitals and reduce mortality. In addition, the main objective is to vaccinate the high-risk patients since the current supply cannot vaccinate all the eligible population.
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Health personnel, home helpers, caregivers, etc., are also prioritised for vaccination.
HAS suggested following the ‘cocooning’ strategy, and people who need to be prioritised are:
Patients who have undergone solid organs transplantation or hematopoietic stem cells
Patients who are undergoing lymphopenic chemotherapy
Patients who are administered with anti-CD20 and people on chronic dialysis
HAS commented that mRNA vaccines and the Janssen vaccine are efficient in preventing transmission.
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In addition, the vaccine needs to be administered to
Family caregivers for elderly
Family caregivers for disabilities