The president of the Dominican Medical College (CMD), Waldo Ariel Suero, warned that the guild “is not convinced” by the AstraZeneca vaccine to be one of the most questioned in terms of its effectiveness and side effects.
Serum issued these statements on Tuesday during an interview on the radio program Super7FM (107.7), where has stressed that the CMD prioritizes Pfizer and Modern vaccines to have higher levels of coverage and effectiveness.
The doctor described as “hasty” the hiring of AstraZeneca vaccine by the Dominican government, the first payment was made through a private sector donation in the amount of US $ 8 million.
“The intention is good but there was precipitation, it was decided for a vaccine that has less coverage right now including that of China,” he added.
Dr. Suero indicated that during the meeting he held 14 days ago with the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, he stood firm on the position of the CMD in the face of the AstraZeneca vaccine and he suggested that they favor the American Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
The interviewee said that during his meeting the president explained that “efforts are being made to get other vaccines, but there is an investment of eight million dollars for AstraZeneca.”
“We must try to strive and bring the least harmful to the population and the most coverage.”, Said Serum.
During his speech on the program, the doctor expressed that he “does not believe” that doctors want to vaccinate with AstraZeneca for the position of the Medical College.
However, in view of the uproar caused by his claim, Suero retracted and clarified that “whoever wants to vaccinate should be vaccinated”, as at no time did they deny anyone to be vaccinated and they are according to what people do. “
“If anyone wants to be vaccinated with AstraZeneca to be vaccinated, now the Medical College must guide doctors and the country”, He insisted.
Underlined serum to be able to evaluate the vaccine in a general sense “There will be months, not days,” to be a complex process. He also noted that the vaccines are not definitive, because they were approved as an emergency route.
The president of the CMD complained that in countries in the region with conditions “similar” to the Dominican Republic are applying the Pfizer vaccine, while a the country authorities argue that there is no logistics or technology to apply it.
“There is no logistics or technology for their refrigeration, but if those countries did it why can’t we do it? Why don’t we deserve a good vaccine?” He exclaimed.
About AstraZeneca
Serum assured that the coverage of the AstraZeneca vaccine is one of the lowest analyzed. The first studies performed showed an effectiveness of 62% to 70%, And the latter revealed an alleged 90% coverage.
The actual extent of the vaccine is not yet defined, in the UK rehearsals continue and was alternated with the Russian Sputnik V vaccine.
One of its advantages is that this vaccine is cheap, each costs UD $ 4, Besides its storage that oscillates between 2-8 ° C makes it one of the most “manageable”.
“It is good to remember that during the trials of the Astrazeneca vaccine these were stopped because one or two cases with Transverse Myelitis appeared a very formidable complication,” the CMD warns in a statement.
About Pfizer and Modern
The two vaccines were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)And studies show one 95% efficiency (Pfizer) and 94% (Modern)
As for its handling, logistics and refrigeration, the vaccine Pfizer should be stored at -70 ° C, which leads to greater complexity and the investment of more resources.
While the vaccine Modern should be stored at -20 ° C and costs around US $ 25.
In search of vaccines
On Monday, President Luis Abinader said Vice President Raquel Peña had been in contact with Pfizer, Moderna, the Russian vaccine and COVAX which is a WHO coordination program for the equitable distribution of the vaccine.
At a press conference at the National Palace he said that the main priority of Government is to get the coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible and he hopes that in any announce results in this regard to see if he receives urgent vaccines. Expect a batch of about 200,000 vaccines for health personnel.