The New York Times: The Husband-and-Wife Team Behind the Leading Vaccine to Solve Covid-19
BioNTech, a German-based biotechnology company with a focus on developing cancer therapies, previously predicted that messenger-RNA technology could be used to rapidly develop a vaccine in the event of a pandemic.
The company, founded by Dr Ugur Sahin and Dr Ozlem Tureci, in partnership with Pfizer, announced this week that their COVID-19 vaccine candidate is more than 90% effective.
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The New York Times: The Husband-and-Wife Team Behind the Leading Vaccine to Solve Covid-19
BBC: Covid vaccine - First 'milestone' vaccine offers 90% protection
Vaccine developers Pfizer and BioNTech have announced preliminary data shows their COVID-19 vaccine is demonstrating 90% effectiveness. The vaccine has been tested on over 43,000 people in six countries (USA, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Turkey). They are planning to apply for emergency approval so the vaccine can be in use by the end of November.
Requiring two doses three weeks apart, the vaccine has been developed using an mRNA platform. Scientists take part of the virus’s genetic code and coat it in a lipid so that it can enter the body’s cells resulting in the production of the coronavirus spike protein, prompting the immune system to produce antibodies and T-cells to kill the infected cells. If the person who has been immunised encounters the virus, the antibodies and T-cells are then activated to fight the virus.
It is not known how effective the vaccine will be in elderly people as yet or how long immunity will last. This vaccine is not without manufacturing and logistical challenges, as mRNA vaccines need to be stored at minus 80 degrees Celsius. To date, no major safety issues have been identified.
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BBC: Covid vaccine: First 'milestone' vaccine offers 90% protection
BBC: Coronavirus - Scientists using TikTok to teach about vaccine
Scientists will use social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Twitter to communicate information about COVID-19 vaccines in development. They will share science in a simple way as well as answer questions in an effort to reclaim the trust of the public which has been undermined by the rampant spread of misinformation.
This is part of new campaign, Team Halo, which has the backing of the United Nations’ Verified Initiative， 这 Vaccine Confidence Project 和 GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance.
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Coronavirus: Scientists using TikTok to teach about vaccine
The bmj: Midwives and paramedics can deliver flu and covid vaccines after new laws come into force
New laws, introduced by the UK government, will now see midwives and paramedics able to administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines (once available). Expanding the workforce responsible for administering vaccines will improve the public's access to vaccination. These healthcare workers will undergo additional training to ensure patient safety is maintained.
Currently doctors, accredited nurse immunisers, nurse practitioners and pharmacist immunisers can administer vaccines in Victoria.
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The bmj: Midwives and paramedics can deliver flu and covid vaccines after new laws come into force
Pulse: Flu and Covid-19 vaccines will need to be given separately, says deputy CMO
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, and medical adviser on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has revealed that he is cautiously optimistic that some COVID-19 vaccines will be available before Christmas. He has also warned that it is unlikely that any COVID-19 vaccine could be co-administered with influenza vaccines due to a lack of safety data.
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Pulse: Flu and Covid-19 vaccines will need to be given separately, says deputy CMO
COVID-19 vaccines: time to talk about the uncertainties
In the following article, Kanta Subbarao, director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne, discusses the unknowns that lie ahead as we plan for the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine. Community engagement and transparency will be key to a successful vaccination campaign. Professor Subbarao touches on public involvement and the idea of "citizen juries" to participate in discussions on the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines and who should receive the vaccine first.
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Nature: COVID-19 vaccines: time to talk about the uncertainties
Professor Subbarao was recently a guest on our COVID19: Road to a vaccine podcast series. To listen to her episode please refer to the following link:
Advance purchase agreements: what does that mean?
The Australian Government has made a number of advance purchase agreements in order to ensure that Australians have access to COVID-19 vaccines once they are proven to be safe and effective.
The following document from the European Commission, outlines what an advance purchase agreement entails and the negotiation process behind it:
Questions and Answers: Coronavirus and the EU Vaccines Strategy
Who pays compensation if a COVID-19 vaccine has rare side-effects? Here's the little we know about Australia's new deal
In the recent federal budget, the Australian Government revealed it would provide indemnity against liability for both the AstraZeneca Oxford and the University of Queensland COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Should either vaccine be approved, and if rare side-effects occur, the government will be responsible for providing compensation. Vaccine compensation schemes currently exist in many countries however, at present Australia is not one of them.
The following article, published in The Conversation, outlines what is known about the proposed indemnity deal and what it means for Australians.
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The New York Times: She hunts viral rumors about real viruses
In the following article by the New York Times, Anthropologist and Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project, Professor Heidi Larson, suggests that vaccine hesitancy is not a byproduct of misinformation, but represents a problem with trust. Heidi's research focuses on what factors undermine vaccine acceptance and immunisation uptake across the globe. She suggests that in order to build trust, health care providers need to focus communication strategies on answering the questions being asked and not just providing scientific information and public health recommendations.
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The New York Times: She hunts viral rumors about real viruses
Heidi was recently a special guest on our COVID-19 Road to a vaccine podcast series. To listen to Heidi's episode follow the below link to our podcast page:
AJGP, October 2020: a focus on immunisation
The October 2020 edition of the Australian Journal of General Practice covers important topics in immunisation including:
- Immunisation and allergy in children and adults: A case based approach
- Seizures following vaccination in children: Risks, outcomes and management of subsequent revaccination
- Preparing the public for COVID-19 vaccines: How can general practitioners build vaccine confidence and optimise uptake for themselves and their patients?
- Maternal vaccinations
- BCG : An update on current Australian practices
Read the articles in full below:
Australian Journal of General Practice, October 2020