Possibility of second wave could fast track vaccine clearances

As Covid-19 cases and deaths are on the rise in Brazil over the past few weeks, health regulators are more inclined to fast-track licensing processes for potential vaccines being tested in the country. 

At the federal level, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) passed a norm allowing companies to send data as it is compiled, as opposed to waiting for thick dossiers at the end of each phase. 

Additionally, Ricardo Palacios, a director at the São Paulo-based Butantan Biological Institute, said tests for the Chinese-made CoronaVac vaccine could be accelerated thanks to the prospect of a second coronavirus wave in Brazil — as an increased spread of the virus could make it easier to reach conclusions on the vaccine’s efficacy.

An article published by scientific magazine The Lancet stated that CoronaVac was effective in 97 percent of trial participants. The vaccine is in phase 3 trials in Brazil and the São Paulo government has already procured 46 million doses.

Second wave would be deadlier

According to the Imperial College London, Brazil’s transmission rate has once again increased, rising to 1.1 — meaning that every 100 people infected would be expected to pass the virus to another 110, who would pass it along to 121 more, and so on. Meanwhile, Covid-19 deaths are going up in 16 of Brazil’s 27 states.

“There is no certainty of a second wave, but that possibility is becoming more real and should be considered by authorities,” said InfoGripe coordinator Marcelo Gomes. If it comes, a second wave could hit Brazil before Christmas.

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