Plus, it’s not just about potency, but also Immunity Immunologist Van Els says. “This number indicates whether you are stimulating immunity with a vaccine. When this happens, the vaccine is activated and your immune system reacts. This way you train your immune system and your body defends itself faster in the event of a coronavirus infection.”
Neutralizing antibodies are found in 99 percent of people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. With the Janssen vaccine, preliminary data also indicates a high level of antibodies: between 82 and 94 percent. “That’s good news. Your immune system leads 1-0.”
The spread of the virus is also reduced with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Toastman: “If the vaccine works very well against transmission, that’s also a big advantage.”
Other vaccines for the elderly?
With the AstraZeneca vaccine, there are also concerns on social media about the small amount of data available on protection for those over 55. According to experts, these concerns are unnecessary. “It would be strange if a vaccine would work until the age of 55 and then suddenly stop working after 55 years,” says Frits Roosendaal. “The reason there is no data is related to the fact that very few people over 55 took part in the study. Not with the vaccine.”
However, the lack of data may be a reason for modifying the vaccination strategy and administering a different vaccine to the elderly, and its effectiveness has been proven. “Maybe you should choose Pfizer or Moderna Seniors,” Rosendal says.
Van der Zeijst also believes that vulnerable groups should not be given the Janssen or AstraZeneca vaccines, if there is a choice. “But it is possible that people over the age of 65 will not receive these vaccines, because we in the Netherlands only want to use RNA vaccines in the elderly.” The vaccines from AstraZeneca and Janssen are based on so-called carrier technology.
What is the difference and how vaccines can protect you, you can see in the video:
