Scientists see downsides to top COVID-19 vaccines from Russia, China

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS AUGUST 31, 2020 / 6:11 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Scientists see downsides to top COVID-19 vaccines from Russia, China

Allison Martell, Julie Steenhuysen
5 MIN READ

TORONTO/CHICAGO (Reuters) - High-profile COVID-19 vaccines developed in Russia and China share a potential shortcoming: They are based on a common cold virus that many people have been exposed to, potentially limiting their effectiveness, some experts say.

CanSino Biologics’ vaccine, approved for military use in China, is a modified form of adenovirus type 5, or Ad5. The company is in talks to get emergency approval in several countries before completing large-scale trials, the Wall Street Journal reported last week.

A vaccine developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, approved in Russia earlier this month despite limited testing, is based on Ad5 and a second less common adenovirus.

“The Ad5 concerns me just because a lot of people have immunity,” said Anna Durbin, a vaccine researcher at Johns Hopkins University. “I’m not sure what their strategy is ... maybe it won’t have 70% efficacy. It might have 40% efficacy, and that’s better than nothing, until something else comes along.”

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-adenoviru/scientists-see-downsides-to-top-covid-19-vaccines-from-russia-china-idUSKBN25R19H

[BlueWavePsych]

1. Russian/ Chinese vaccines? Better to just get a flu shot

But seriously ...
"Some scientists also worry an Ad5-based vaccine could increase chances of contracting HIV. "