Russia is running a different kind of Covid-19 vaccine study
Earlier this month, there was a brief Internet tempest around the idea of distributing Covid-19 vaccines before they’ve completed rigorous testing for safety and efficacy. That’s a bad idea, the consensus went, because rigorous testing for safety and efficacy is important.
As it turns out, authorities in Russia disagree.
Yesterday, the country approved an experimental vaccine for the novel coronavirus, becoming the first in the world to do so. Developed at the Gamaleya Center in Moscow, the vaccine has only completed Phase 1 and 2 trials, according to the Russian government, which promised to publish detailed results in the future. Those studies enrolled a cumulative 76 patients.
The reaction from vaccine experts was as you might expect, typified by Weill Cornell Medical College virologist John Moore, who told the New York Times “this is all beyond stupid.” Russia’s decision to flaunt conventional scientific wisdom could have dire consequences, but it also sets up an unplanned study of its own: While nations around the world await the results of large-scale vaccine trials, Russia may be injecting millions with an unproven medicine. A year or so from now, we’ll find out which path was wiser.
As it turns out, authorities in Russia disagree.
Yesterday, the country approved an experimental vaccine for the novel coronavirus, becoming the first in the world to do so. Developed at the Gamaleya Center in Moscow, the vaccine has only completed Phase 1 and 2 trials, according to the Russian government, which promised to publish detailed results in the future. Those studies enrolled a cumulative 76 patients.
The reaction from vaccine experts was as you might expect, typified by Weill Cornell Medical College virologist John Moore, who told the New York Times “this is all beyond stupid.” Russia’s decision to flaunt conventional scientific wisdom could have dire consequences, but it also sets up an unplanned study of its own: While nations around the world await the results of large-scale vaccine trials, Russia may be injecting millions with an unproven medicine. A year or so from now, we’ll find out which path was wiser.
.png)
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario