It is important to have an ever-broadening understanding of vaccines, both regarding their side effects and their impact on the immune system, the Pécs University Clinical Center said.Continue reading
With 3,211 volunteers, the Hungarian government has begun testing the efficacy of every vaccine Hungary currently uses: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, and Moderna, Magyar Nemzet reported based off a statement from the Ministry of Human Resources.
According to Hungary’s Ministry of Human Resources,
Over the course of one year, the analysis by the National Public Health Center will measure antibody levels following vaccination, while the National Institute of Oncology will conduct tests related to cellular immune responses.”
Tests will be conducted on volunteers every three months, and blood samples will be taken at the National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, the South-Pest Hospital Centre – National Institute for Infectology and Haematology, and the vaccination center of the University of Pécs.
The data on “full immunity (cellular and humoral),” will be gathered by the National Oncology Institute.
The idea that certain coronavirus vaccines are more effective than others has been a longstanding debate in Hungary since they were first put to use. Currently Sinopharm is facing increasing criticism due to a growing camp of people who are testing negative for antibody levels necessary for immunity after two vaccinations.
There will be opportunities to share the results of the tests upon completion of the project, which will be interesting to see since no country has conducted such large scale efficacy tests of all five vaccines at once.
Featured photo illustration by János Nemes/MTI
