Germany’s vaccine commission announced this week that it would only recommend the use of the AstraZeneca shot for people aged 16 to 65. The decision was based on the lack of data of the medical trials at which only few people aged older than 65 participated.
However, Professor Markus Ollert, Director of the Department of Infection & Immunity (at the Luxembourg Institute of Health), expects the AstraZeneca shot to be effective with older people too. At worst, the vaccine could just be a little less effective for that age group compared to younger people, which could be explained by their generally lower immune response. According to Prof Ollert some protection against Covid-19 would be better than none.
He did suggest however that the vaccination strategy could be adapted to the AstraZeneca jab.
At the moment it is crucial to step up the vaccination efforts, says Ollert. Due to the short supply, it would be important to use up as much available supply as possible. He also floated the idea of giving out the AstraZeneca shot now and at a later date administering a second dose of a more effective vaccine.
Yet, due to the announced delivery reductions, the AstraZeneca jabs have been delayed.
Ed’s Note:in an earlier version of this story, we wrote that Ollert was the Director of LIH, this was incorrect and we have amended accordingly.
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