Oxford vaccine faces increasing questions
When AstraZeneca released the vaccine’s results, they were a bit odd. The vaccine was only 62% effective when participants received two full doses—but 90% when the first jab was a half dose, followed by a full dose. All of which the company clubbed together, and declared the vaccine to have 70% efficacy.
The mistake: The medical community is crying foul for several reasons. AstraZeneca admits that the half dose was administered to 3,000 participants by mistake. The mistake: A “difference in the manufacturing process”—which doesn’t inspire confidence in either vaccine or the trials themselves. Also, this error may disqualify the data. India’s leading virologist Gagandeep Kang says: “We have to see how much of this data (from the low-dose group) is potentially usable for regulatory submissions in the strictest sense, because, my understanding is you cannot use data that is not specified in the protocol.”
The response: Serum of Institute of India—which will manufacture the vaccine for India said: “Even though the lowest efficacy results are at 60-70%, it is a viable vaccine against the virus. That said, varied age groups with different dosage forms will result in slight variations and efficacy. We must be patient and not panic.” AstraZeneca announced plans to conduct a fresh global trial to test the lower dosage. Read New York Times via The Telegraph on the pushback against the vaccine. BBC News has more on the dosing error. Wired has a long piece raising multiple questions about its methodology and results. Read our explainer on the Oxford vaccine.
In other pandemic-related news:
- The latest nation-wide serological survey shows that 7% of India’s population was exposed to the virus by August—that is 74.3 million infections. Our official case count as of today: 9,309,871.
- The government’s Chief Scientific Adviser said the ‘first wave’ of vaccinations will be administered to 30 crore people between March and May. The target: health care workers, police personnel, those above 50 and those younger with underlying illnesses.
- Canada may not be as lucky. PM Justin Trudeau warned Canadians that they will get the vaccine later than other countries—including the US and Mexico—as it “no longer has any domestic production capacity for vaccines.”
- Pakistan’s upcoming cricket tour of New Zealand has been thrown into total chaos after six of its team members tested positive. The entire team tested negative when they arrived on November 24. According to NZ authorities, two of the six results were “historical” infections while four are new. The Guardian has more on this mess.
- International flights to and from India have been suspended till December 31. OTOH, when they do resume, folks in Bangalore can fly non-stop to San Francisco twice a week courtesy Air India. It will be the airline’s longest route.
- Also postponed: Next year’s ISC and ICSE board exams. Authorities have not given a date but indicated they will not be held “before the end of May or in June.”
- On a lighter note, the BJP is fielding a candidate in the upcoming Kerala elections named Corona Thomas. Watch her campaign here.
Two important studies on India
One: New research confirms what many of us already know: Dalit women have received zero relief from India’s stricter rape laws. A study of 40 rape cases in North India showed that only 10% led to conviction. In 60% of the cases, the survivor withdrew her case and accepted a “compromise” settlement imposed by Khap panchayats. Also this: “In almost 90% of cases, at least one of the accused was from a dominant caste, with men often acting in groups to carry out gang-rape and murder.” (Reuters)
Two: While all the attention is focused on Delhi and other northern states, a new study shows that air pollution levels are rising faster in the south and east. Also, a piece of data that rarely gets attention: pollution levels in rural India is now at par with the cities. (Indian Express)
Remembering Maradona
Argentina is in three days of national mourning. Thousands of fans—most of them in tears—flooded the streets to mourn the demise of the football legend. His professional ‘home town’ Naples announced plans to rename its stadium after him. In the deluge of tributes, two things caught our eye: Gary Lineker demonstrating Maradona’s legendary skills on TV. And this wonderful cartoon that went viral:
Four fun Friday things
One: Thai authorities proudly unveiled a $1 billion bust of ketamine—a popular party drug. Sadly, tests now show that all they have is 11.5 tonnes of a harmless cleaning agent. The country’s justice minister is blaming it on a “technical error.” (BBC News)
Two: Netflix just dropped the full-length trailer for ‘The Prom’—the highly anticipated high school musical starring Meryl Streep, James Corden and Nicole Kidman. It looks like serious campy fun—and will be available for your viewing pleasure starting December 11. Question: Is James Corden the new Nathan Lane?
Three: This is the world’s most expensive handbag, and it costs $7 million:
"Crafted from semi-shiny alligator skin, the handbag is adorned with 10 white gold butterflies, four of which are decorated with diamonds and three with sapphires and rare paraiba tourmalines, totalling over 130 carats. It also features a diamond pavé clasp."
Before you pooh-pooh such insane extravagance, know that its design was inspired by the ocean—and the brand will donate $950,912 of each of the three bags sold to causes dedicated to fighting plastic pollution in our seas.
Four: ‘A Dog Pissing at the Edge of a Path’ has beaten ‘Introducing the Medieval Ass’ to win the prize for oddest book title of the year.
