New data shows 50.4% efficacy for China's CoronaVac vaccine in Brazil

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Coronavirus live news: Chinese vaccine 50% effective in Brazil; US CDC expands pre-flight Covid testing

LIVE Updated 14m ago

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2h ago 00:09

New data shows 50.4% efficacy for China's CoronaVac vaccine in Brazil

A coronavirus vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech was just 50.4% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in a Brazilian trial, researchers said on Tuesday, barely enough for regulatory approval and well below the rate announced last week.

Reuters: The latest results are a major disappointment for Brazil, as the Chinese vaccine is one of two that the federal government has lined up to begin immunisation during the second wave of the world’s second-deadliest Covid-19 outbreak.

Several scientists and observers blasted the Butantan biomedical center for releasing partial data just days ago that generated unrealistic expectations. The confusion may add to skepticism in Brazil about the Chinese vaccine, which President Jair Bolsonaro has criticized, questioning its “origins.”

“We have a good vaccine. Not the best vaccine in the world. Not the ideal vaccine,” said microbiologist Natalia Pasternak, criticizing Butantan’s triumphant tone.

Last week, the Brazilian researchers had celebrated results showing 78% efficacy against “mild-to-severe” Covid-19 cases, a rate they later described as “clinical efficacy.”

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/13/coronavirus-live-news-chinese-vaccine-50-effective-in-brazil-us-cdc-expands-pre-flight-covid-testing?page=with:block-5ffe39d78f08dc561ae90706#block-5ffe39d78f08dc561ae90706

[Sanity Claws]

1. Better than nothing but not by much

[Ziggysmom]

2. Agree, I don't think I'd take a vaccine with that low % of efficacy. nt