Bulgarian Immunologist: AstraZeneca Vaccine Efficacy Below 95 Percent

The vaccine works. For now, Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines do have effect. With the AstraZeneca vaccine, the adequate immune response is not 95%, but is lower, and some countries now have second thoughts about buying these vaccines. Bulgaria ordered most vaccines from AstraZeneca, said on BNT Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev, Director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (NCIPD).

The EC also started consultations on the Russian vaccine Sputnik V based on human adenovirus which in combination with AstraZeneca,based on monkey adenovirus, may boost the immune response. Moderna and Pfizer are same vaccines.

As for the Pfizer vaccine - 6 doses can be made from 1 vial, so far we made 5. This increases by 20% the number of vaccinated without changing the jab dose.

Immunity acquired after vaccination lasts for several months, for 7-8 months the coronavirus immunity is guaranteed. The level of antibodies testifies to the presence of immunity. The antibody level is not the leading criterion for whether the vaccine works or not. The most important is cellular immunity. For instance, there is cellular immunity for viral infections we had as children. The course of infection is different in different age groups Prof. Kantardzhiev explained.

Prof. Kantardzhiev stressed that we should trust the vaccination headquarters, experienced people have developed this plan. The priority groups for vaccination are the frontline health workers, people with permanent disabilities, nursing homes inmates. People who are very keen to get vaccinated should  have patience and wait, Prof . Kantardzhiev said further.

With the vaccines received in Bulgaria by yesterday our country's vaccination preparedness is comparable with that in...