‘Young doctor João’ dies in AstraZeneca and Oxford vaccine research | Abroad

Anvisa states that it was informed about the death on 19 October and is not allowed to provide any further information about the patient. The University of São Paulo, involved in the investigation, confirms that it is a Brazilian, but does not give further details.

A spokesman for AstraZeneca Netherlands confirms the death. The company cannot say whether the subject received the vaccine or a placebo. “We cannot respond to individual cases. This is partly due to the strict rules surrounding clinical research. But all necessary review processes have been followed. ”

The Brazilian’s death does not lead to the halting of trials with the vaccine, the spokesman said. “All major medical events have been carefully reviewed by investigators, an independent committee and the authorities. This does not reveal any concerns about the progress of the investigation. ”

“Exemplary doctor”

According to the Brazilian O Globo, this is the young doctor João Pedro R. Feitosa, former medical student at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. That institution has issued a letter of condolence. Feitosa has been called an ‘exemplary doctor and student’. “The emptiness and the loss are increasing every moment. What gives us strength at the moment is how you were. ”

Shut down

Earlier, the research was halted when one of the subjects turned out to have a disease of the spinal cord. The study continued after a short break. There was no demonstrable relationship with the vaccine.

The Netherlands and other European countries have previously ordered 300 million doses from AstraZeneca, which will be purchased once the vaccine has actually proven itself. The vaccine is currently being tested in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil and India.

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