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.

Show Notes

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)

What is Community Pulse?

Community Pulse is a special report on the unfolding coronavirus situation in mid-Missouri featuring local family physician Elizabeth Allemann, M.D. and public health advocate Ginny Chadwick. Catch it live every Monday and Wednesday at 9am on KOPN 89.5 FM or streaming at kopn.org.