Hodžić: Russian vaccine is as safe as others approved in the EU

(Patria) - Master of Pharmacy from Copenhagen Benjamin Hodžić spoke on Novi dan about vaccines available on the European market. He pointed out that the Russian vaccine Sputnik V can be trusted as much as the vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca.

He said that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are based on new RNA technology, while the AstraZeneca vaccine is based on a viral vector system made from a virus that carries genetic code, enters cells, and stimulates the creation of immunity, and is not dangerous for the human body, N1 reports.

“The Russian vaccine, there is a lot of talk about it. Its efficacy is very good. The problem is politically staged. The Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are from reputable Western European companies, and just like with Russian medicines, they are immediately viewed negatively. The third phase of clinical trials showed that the Russian vaccine is 91.6 percent effective, and the trial was conducted on 20,000 patients. Every answer I give is based on documents from the European Medicines Agency,” said Hodžić.

He emphasized that skepticism exists among people because vaccines approved in the EU have not been sufficiently tested. He reminded that in a normal process, vaccine development takes between six and 10 years, but these companies managed to do it within eight to 10 months.

“That is not enough time to conduct safety and efficacy testing of the vaccines. In every document from Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, it states that they do not guarantee that this vaccine can 100 percent protect you or prevent transmission of the virus from you to an at-risk group. Pfizer and Moderna made a contract before placing the vaccine on the market, under which they are protected for the next four years if something happens, if someone dies from the vaccine, becomes disabled, etc. All factors contribute to creating skepticism among people. They only support it because they are tired of being in lockdown. However, the European Medicines Agency has obligated all companies to submit better and more complete data within two years,” said Hodžić.

Speaking about new strains of the coronavirus, he said that the most popular topic in Europe is the virus from the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil, but that “no country has strong enough data to say that these viral mutations can threaten, or are worse or better than traditional Covid.”

“There is limited data that this virus spreads faster from one person to another, but it is not supported by research. All pharmaceutical companies claim that their vaccine works against mutations. We should not be afraid, vaccines are here, such as they are, whoever wants to can take them. The spread of infection should be limited with certain measures, and I see no reason to be overly afraid of these mutations,” he said, adding that PCR tests can detect new strains as well.

He emphasized that he strongly opposes the idea of creating a corona passport because the EU has determined that vaccination must be voluntary, and there are also people, including pregnant women and children, who cannot receive it.

“That is a very controversial topic. The EU agreed that no one should be forced to get vaccinated, but that it should be a matter of choice. However, some countries like Denmark and Iceland have decided to work on a corona passport because people are tired of being in lockdown. If that passport is created, we will have divided people, those who have received it and those who have not. Those who have received it will be ‘clean people,’ they will be able to go to concerts, restaurants, and will be ‘more valuable’ than those who have not. But you have people who cannot get vaccines, who are allergic, pregnant women for whom there is no data, children. That is enormous discrimination. The reason they are making it is to have A people, vaccinated people who will have more freedom, and to return to normal life as soon as possible. I am against the corona passport,” he concluded.