Drosten in the Corona podcast: AstraZeneca is not a secondary vaccine | NDR.de – news

AUDIO: (76) Astra vaccine much better than its reputation (101 min)

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Also build on the vaccine from AstraZeneca

Drosten is sure that the AstraZeneca vaccine is still an important component in the fight against the corona pandemic. “In Germany we have the chance to get out of this pandemic early. That can suddenly happen in rapid succession in the second quarter,” says Drosten. But that can only succeed if politicians also rely on the vaccine from AstraZeneca in their vaccination strategy – and not only on the vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer.

“Vaccinate across the board as quickly as possible”

“We have to do everything in our power to vaccinate as quickly as possible,” says the virologist at the Berlin Charité. The existing vaccines are extremely good. “There is always a fly in the ointment, and some people look at it with a magnifying glass – you shouldn’t do that. You should rather think about what you can do to contribute to the fight against the pandemic.”

Two good reasons for a corona vaccination

From the virologist’s point of view, two points speak in favor of deciding on a corona vaccination: “On the one hand, it is very clear: If I get vaccinated, I no longer need to be afraid of a severe course of the disease vaccinate because I know that my vaccination will help the entire population if I stop passing the virus on. “

Even the first vaccination has an “amazing protective effect”

At this point, Drosten refers to data from Israel, where a very large part of the population has already received at least the first dose of vaccine. It shows that if around half of an age group is given even one dose, the number of new infections in this age group decreases significantly overall. “That is an amazing protective effect,” said Drosten.

Only the Biontech vaccine is used in Israel. But in terms of effect, the AstraZeneca product does not show a significantly different picture. “The data available for the Biontech / Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are very encouraging. It is reasonable to assume that the vaccine altogether prevents transmission.”

Further information

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Here you will find all episodes broadcast so far for reading and listening to as well as a scientific glossary and much more. more

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The viral load appears to decrease sharply in vaccinated people

There are also new findings from Israel on the question of whether people who have been vaccinated can still pass the virus on to their fellow human beings. “As a vaccinated person, you can still get infected with the coronavirus. But the question is how severe this infection is for people who have been vaccinated,” says Drosten. Two studies from Israel now suggest that the viral load in vaccinated people is no longer as high as in non-vaccinated people. In other words: In the laboratory, after infection, only so few viruses can be detected in vaccinated patients that it can be said: Thanks to the vaccination, the patient is practically no longer contagious.

Do vaccines have to be adapted to the mutations?

In Drosten’s opinion, the occurrence of coronavirus mutations does not have to have any effects on the local vaccination program for the time being. In addition, no one should be deterred from vaccination by reports about the coronavirus mutations. “It would be a completely wrong idea to wait with a vaccination until an updated Biontech vaccine is available before I take AstraZeneca,” clarifies the virologist. It is better to get vaccinated immediately when it is your turn.

“For Germany, given the current distribution of mutants, I would not assume that such an update would be needed in the near future for vaccines. We will get along very well with the vaccines that are now available.”

Further information

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In one ward, the vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine were then stopped so that enough staff were left. more

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The US pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson has applied for European approval for its vaccine. More corona news in the live ticker. more

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The virologist Christian Drosten provides expert knowledge in the podcast Coronavirus Update – together with virologist Sandra Ciesek. Here is an overview of all the episodes. more

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Who researches corona vaccines? How do they work Who will get it first? Who finances the research, who benefits? more

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This topic in the program:

NDR Info | 16.02.2021 | 17:00

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