The UK could be weathering the spike in coronavirus cases better than Europe because of T-cell protection stimulated by the AstraZeneca vaccine, the pharmaceutical giant's boss has suggested.
Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca, told the BBC that T-cell responses stimulated by the jab were effective in protecting elderly people from COVID-19.
"T-cells do matter, particularly as it relates to the durability of the response, especially in older people," Mr Soirot said.
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"This vaccine has been shown to stimulate T-cells to a higher degree in older people.
"So we have not seen many hospitalisations in the UK, a lot of infections for sure.
"But what matters is are you severely ill or not, are you hospitalised or not."
Mr Soirot claimed this could be because the AstraZeneca vaccine, jointly developed with Oxford University, was rolled out to the older population in the UK, while other jabs were used in many European countries.
He said that COVID-19 vaccines stimulate an antibody response and a T-cell reaction.
While antibodies decline over time, T-cells are more resistant and last longer, Mr Soirot said.
Britain recorded a higher number of cases than most EU countries during the northern summer and they have remained high, with 44,917 announced on Monday.
The death rate, within 28 days of patients testing positive for coronavirus, is 132 a day in the UK, according to UK government data.
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WHO warns of surge in European virus deaths
The World Health Organisation's Europe office says projections show its 53-country region could face another 700,000 deaths in the coronavirus pandemic by next spring, topping 2 million in total.
WHO Europe also cited growing evidence of a decline in protection against infection and mild disease through vaccines, and said a "booster dose" should be given as a priority to the most vulnerable populations — including people with weakened immune systems — as well as people over age 60 and health care workers.
WHO Europe called on people to get vaccinated and respect proper hygiene and practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus.
The European region, which stretches deep into central Asia, reported that deaths due to COVID-19 rose to nearly 4200 per day last week — a doubling of levels recorded at the end of September.
Cumulative deaths have now reached 1.5 million in the region.
The three factors driving the increase are the highly transmissible delta variant of the virus, an easing of restrictive measures like requirements for mask-wearing and physical distancing in places, and large swaths of the European population that remain unvaccinated, WHO Europe said.
It said the region could face a cumulative 2 million deaths due to the pandemic by March 1.
- With AP
