A study conducted in South Korea has shown that inoculation with a first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine followed by a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine increased the levels of neutralising antibodies by six times versus two AstraZeneca doses, Reuters reported. The study, which involved 499 medical workers, found neutralising antibodies in all participants, who received either mixed doses, two Pfizer doses or two AstraZeneca doses. The mixed doses led to antibody levels similar to that observed with two Pfizer doses.
The World Bank and COVAX have unveiled a financing mechanism to expedite the supply of Covid-19 vaccines to developing countries. COVAX can buy in advance from vaccine manufacturers depending on combined demand across countries, with financing from the World Bank and various other multilateral development banks. Meanwhile, participating developing nations will have increased visibility of the availability of vaccines and their quantities, and upcoming delivery schedules.
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South Africa-based Aspen Pharmacare is set to start supplying the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in its home country. The company is producing the jab with active pharmaceutical ingredients sourced from Europe. These vaccine doses will be released to J&J for distribution across South Africa. This is the first Covid-19 shot to be manufactured on the African continent by an African company for patients in South Africa and Africa, Aspen said, adding that doses will also be supplied to Europe and other markets outside Africa.
