ZURICH, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Switzerland could pass on the
doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination it has
ordered, with the country yet to approve the shot, newspaper NZZ
am Sonntag reported.
Switzerland earlier this month demanded more efficacy and
quality data before greenlighting the shot that has already been
approved by the European Union.
NZZ am Sonntag said there was speculation among local
authorities that the government wanted to cancel its order, a
situation which could occur if tests show the drug is
insufficiently effective.
"It is still unclear what will happen with AstraZeneca,"
Nora Kronig, vice director of the Federal Office of Public
Health (BAG) told the newspaper. "There are considerations to
pass on the material."
Switzerland, which has ordered 5.3 million doses of the
AstraZeneca vaccine, is waiting for results from trials in North
and South America, after saying earlier testing did not produce
clear data including on efficacy in older people.
France, Belgium and Germany are among European Union
countries to recommend that Oxford's vaccine be given only to
under 65s. AstraZenica has said elderly trial participants have
shown strong immune responses to the vaccine.
Withdrawal from the AstraZeneca sales contract is currently
not an option, Kronig told NZZ am Sonntag. But this would be
re-examined if need be, she added.
A spokeswoman for AstraZeneca told the newspaper that
Switzerland would be able to receive supplies quickly after the
vaccine was approved.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for
comment from Reuters.
(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)