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Summary
- Britain's approval of Oxford University and AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine candidate, which was developed in record time, was hailed by Mexico's government
- Latin American nations such as Mexico, Argentina, and Chile are very close to giving Emergency Use Authorization to the British coronavirus vaccine.
- Emerging nations are closely working with AstraZeneca to fight against the pandemic
The Mexico government is likely to authorise the Covid-19 vaccine, jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca Plc (LON: AZN) in the United Kingdom. The Oxford vaccine made the headlines after it was approved for emergency use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Britain's authorisation of the coronavirus vaccine built in record time by Oxford University- AstraZeneca was hailed by Mexican government on Wednesday.
The vaccine can expect a nod soon from the Mexican authorities for mass immunisation against the coronavirus pandemic. Latin American nations, like Mexico, Argentina, and Chile, are very close to authorising the use of British coronavirus vaccine.
Also read: Oxford University- AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine Gets UK Regulator’s Nod
(Image source: ©Kalkine Group 2020)
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexican President stated that AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine obtaining British health regulator’s nod is convincing enough. Once the authorization is granted to AstraZeneca, Mexico can expect the first vaccination drive to start in March.
The Covid-19 vaccine is suitable for all ages 18 years and above and shall be given in two doses with a variable interval of 4 to 12 weeks. MHRA approved the two-dose regimen without any empirical studies due to lack of sufficient data. However, AstraZeneca and Oxford would continue to collect and analyse data going forward.
Britain’s medicines regulator MHRA, based on its own analysis of unpublished data, resorted to the two-dose regime. However, there is still some uncertainty around its most effective dosage. The efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine was found to be 70 per cent in the UK.
Also read: COVID-19: AstraZeneca-Oxford’s Vaccine Shows 70 Per Cent Efficiency in Late-Stage Trials
Other advantages
In comparison to other vaccines, the Oxford vaccine can be easily refrigerated at 2-8 degree Celsius and can be easily supplied and distributed in the emerging nations. Moreover, the vaccine will be cheaper and easier to transport.
British coronavirus vaccine is expected to get a green signal in the US as well. The chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed, Moncef Slaoui said that AstraZeneca might get a nod in the US by April after all trials and assessments. He hailed the UK’s effort in developing an affordable vaccine for the masses. European nations such as Italy, Austria, Portugal, France, Germany, and Spain are also planning to commence mass inoculations shortly.
Also read: Sneak peek at COVID-19 Vaccine frontrunners: AZN, Moderna, Pfizer, J&J
Emerging countries such as India have forged an agreement with AstraZeneca for the Covid vaccine. AstraZeneca’s Indian arm has joined forces with the Serum Institute of India, which will be producing 400 million doses by the end of 2021.