The difficulty in comparing SARS-CoV2 vaccines
Host Dr. Elizabeth Allemann discusses the pitfalls of comparing the different SARS-CoV2 vaccines with each other. Such comparisons are difficult to make because available vaccines haven’t been compared with each other in randomized, double-blinded studies. Also, the conditions under which the different vaccines were tested vary and substantial clinical data regarding each vaccine's efficacy against specific COVID-19 variants is lacking.
Further reading/resources:
- Evaluating SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines After Emergency Use Authorization or Licensing of Initial Candidate Vaccines (JAMA Network)
- SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Much Accomplished, Much to Learn (American College of Cardiology)
- Handicapping the COVID Vaccine Horse Race (Medscape)
- New COVID-19 vaccine trials starting in children (MSN)
- Pfizer says its Covid vaccine trial for kids ages 12 to 15 is fully enrolled (CNBC)
- South Africa Halts AstraZeneca Vaccine Rollout Over Effectiveness Doubts With New Variant (Slate)