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Many Europeans are desperate for a coronavirus vaccine. But not just any vaccine. As AstraZeneca shots roll out to European Union countries this month, joining the already available dose of Pfizer and Moderna, some people are offering a vaccine that they say – reasonably or not – is considered the second best. The AP vaccinated teachers on Friday with the AstraZeneca vaccine, and according to some people, they have reservations about setting up a vaccine that they say is less effective than others. An educator in Warsaw, who became infected and recovered slowly in November, said no one at her school was enthusiastic about getting the AstraZeneca shot. But many have reported and are eager for any protection against the virus. “I still fear the disease more than the AstraZeneca vaccine,” she said. AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot acknowledged the criticism, but said regulators had reviewed the data and considered the vaccine safe and effective. “Is it perfect? No, it’s not perfect, but it’s great,” Soriot said Thursday. “We’re going to save thousands of lives.”
While regulators in more than 50 countries and the EU’s drug watchdog have endorsed the widespread use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine, it has drawn the most criticism for concerns about human trials. Several European countries recommend the drug only for people under 65, and other countries recommend it for people under 55, because AstraZeneca’s trials include a relatively small number of older people. The WHO says that the vaccine is approximately 63% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 after two doses. This is less than the 95% efficacy reported by Pfizer and Moderna, but experts warn against comparisons as the studies were done at different times and under different conditions. But in Poland, Spain and Italy, some unions have complained that their members want the product, and they have expressed concern that they are less important than groups receiving the dose of Pfizer or Moderna. Some Italian doctors are taking the shots and saying they want Pfizer or Moderna shots for public health workers. A teacher in Poland said: ‘This is just another example that we have shown our place. ‘(AstraZeneca’s vaccine will now be tested on children.)