AstraZeneca’s vaccine renamed as Vaxzevria
The name will be used only for the European Union
AstraZeneca has renamed its COVID-19 vaccine to ‘Vaxzevria’ in conjunction with the British University of Oxford. This information was shared by GLOBAL Media Relations Director for AstraZeneca Kim Blomley. Blomley stated that the vaccine had been renamed ‘Vaxzevria,’ adding that the name was only for the European Union.
According to various report in agencies, Blombley noted that the new name had been planned for many months before its implementation, saying it did not change the vaccine’s policy and supply. He said, “The use of the brand name does not signify any changes in AstraZeneca’s policy to supply the vaccine at no-profit during the pandemic.”
Blombley said the change to a permanent trade name was customary and did nothing to the product.
Vaxzevria is a vaccine for preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people aged 18 years and older. Vaxzevria does not contain the virus itself and cannot cause COVID-19. Vaxzevria is given as two injections, usually into the muscle of the upper arm. The second dose should be given between 4 and 12 weeks after the first dose. Vaxzevria works by preparing the body to defend itself against COVID-19. It is made up of another virus (adenovirus) that has been modified to contain the gene for making the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This is a protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which the virus needs to enter the body’s cells. Once it has been given, the vaccine delivers the SARS-CoV-2 gene into cells in the body. The cells will use the gene to produce the spike protein. The person’s immune system will then recognise this protein as foreign and produce antibodies and activate T cells (white blood cells) to attack it.
Recently, Canada’s vaccine advisory committee recommended immediately suspending the use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in Canadians under 55 following reports of rare but potentially fatal blood clots in Europe that appear to be connected to the shot.
Agencies