AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford said the vaccine developed jointly against the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus had shown “an average effectiveness of 70%” in its final trials.
The vaccine can prevent 70% of people from contracting the coronavirus, even up to 90% if given a lower dose, according to data from the biopharmaceutical company.
“The efficacy and safety of this vaccine confirms that it will be highly effective against COVID-19 and will have a direct impact on the current public health emergency,” said AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot in a statement on Monday (23/11).
Soriot further explained that administering the lower dosage from the first trial was “a huge plus” because it meant “it could vaccinate more people and faster.”
This vaccine is very effective when given a half dose and followed by a full dose one month later.
Positive reaction
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the news with enthusiasm, tweeting: “It is very encouraging news that the Oxford vaccine has proven to be very effective in trials. There are still further safety checks, but it is a fantastic result.”
However, the vaccines that AstraZeneca worked on provided lower effectiveness, when compared to vaccines produced by BioNTech / Pfizer and Moderna, which proved to be more than 90% effective.
Still, the results of the preliminary trials remain new in the fight against a virus that has killed nearly 1.4 million people, brought global travel to a standstill and devastated the world’s economy.
“Today’s announcement takes us a step closer to a time where we can use a vaccine to end the devastation caused by SARS-CoV-2,” said Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford.
“We will continue to work to provide detailed information to regulators. It is a privilege to be part of this multinational effort, which will benefit the whole world,” concluded Gilbert.
yp / as (Reuters, dpa, AFP, AP)
–
