US vaccine progress
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rssPfizer says its coronavirus vaccine appears highly protective against South Africa variant
Pfizer remarks in updated data on its COVID-19 vaccine
- Vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing COVID-19 (down from 95%)
- Vaccine was 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where the B1351 variant is dominant
- Vaccine was 100% effective in preventing severe disease as defined by the CDC
- Vaccine was 95% effective in preventing severe disease as defined by the FDA
The headline will make for comfortable reading amid fears that the virus variants will throw a wrench in the works on the global recovery. That said, the trial sample size in South Africa is rather small i.e. 800 participants only.
Pfizer also adds that there were no serious safety concerns observed in all trial participants for up to six months after the second dose was administered.
COVID-19 DOSES ADMINISTERED BY COUNTRY
China’s CanSino has approval for a clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine for inhalation
Via Reuters the news that an inhalable vaccine is to be tested in China.
- developed by CanSinoBIO and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology
- China’s National Medical Products Administration approved the trial of the vaccine
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The more vaccines the better I guess?
END OF THE CORONA CRISIS
WHO says benefits of AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the risks
WHO on AstraZeneca vaccine
- WHO carefully assessing latest available safety data
- Recommends vaccinations with AZ shot continue
This is no surprise. European officials are likely to say the same thing tomorrow. At the same time, ‘benefits outweigh the risks’ isn’t exactly ‘this vaccine is 100% safe’. Given the choice, no one would take this ahead of the alternatives, particularly given its poorer efficacy, particularly versus the South African variant.
European medical agency pushes AstraZeneca vaccine decision to Thursday
Decision was supposed to be today
The European Medicines Association says it’s continuing its investigation of the AstraZeneca vaccine and evaluating all blood clots on a case-by-case basis.
On the surface, that sounds worrisome but their comments are largely positive. They say they remained convinced of the benefits of the vaccine and that the benefits outweigh the risks. They say blood clot events are ‘very rare’.
The euro is back near the lows of the day, down 13 pips to 1.1917 even with the US dollar broadly weaker.
RKI warns that German coronavirus cases are growing exponentially again
The institute’s virologist says that cases are up 20% in a week
The latest figures today aren’t out yet but yesterday’s report showed that the 7-day incidence rate has climbed up rather sharply in the past week to 82.9.
As a reminder, the key threshold is 50.0 so as to allow restrictions to be eased in regions which meet that figure. The latest snapshot isn’t too encouraging in that regard:
Germany suspends use of AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine
Not a great sign
AstraZeneca was out with a statement on Sunday saying there were no safety problems with its vaccine. Evidently, the Germans aren’t convinced or want more time to review the data and they’ve will stop using the vaccine, at least temporarily.
At this point, there’s been some major reputational damage for this particular vaccine. It’s also the least-effective at preventing infections.
The FX implication here is euro-negative because the eurozone’s best shot at getting the vaccine sooner is via this vaccine. It also potentially extends the timeline globally.
Ultimately, I think it gets approved but this certainly isn’t good news.
Germany reports 6,604 new coronavirus cases, 47 deaths in latest update today
Germany on the verge of a third virus wave?
Putting the Monday figures above aside, the situation in Germany hasn’t been looking great as of late. As of yesterday, total active cases climbed to above 137,000 – the highest it has been since 15 February.
Meanwhile, the 7-day incidence rate continues to climb and is seen at 82.9 today. As a reminder, the key threshold there is 50.0 – where the government allows for states/regions to relax restrictions further. Hence, the latest trend is rather discouraging.
Are we on the cusp of another virus wave in Germany, similar to that of Italy?
That is a key risk to look out for if tighter restrictions are called upon once again in Q2.
In terms of healthcare capacity, there were 2,775 (+54) virus patients requiring intensive care as of yesterday with there being 4,155 (17%) intensive care beds still available.