Don’t bet on COVID-19 vax saving lives, warns BMJ editorial
Current trials aren't set up to detect if vaccine candidates prevent severe illness and death, says associate editor Dr Peter Doshi
As the world holds its collective breath waiting for COVID-19 vaccines, a prominent pharmaceutical researcher has flagged major shortfalls in trials of vaccine candidates.
Dr Peter Doshi (PhD), assistant professor of pharmaceutical health services research at the University of Maryland school of pharmacy in the US, has warned the vaccines may not bring the pandemic to a halt as hoped.
He identifies major shortfalls in seven current phase III trials of vaccine candidates.
While everyone has “bet the farm” on vaccines as the solution to the pandemic, the trials are not answering the right questions, the BMJ associate editor writes.
