AstraZeneca says late-stage trials of its COVID-19 were “highly effective” in preventing disease.
A vaccine developed in partnership between AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford prevented 70% of people from developing the coronavirus in late-stage trials, the team reported.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said, “This vaccine’s efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against COVID-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency.
Furthermore, the vaccine’s simple supply chain and our no-profit pledge and commitment on broad, equitable and timely access mean it will be affordable and globally available, supplying hundreds of millions of doses on approval.”
Key researcher Dr. Andrew pollard said scientists were pleased with the results and researchers to have found that if people were given a half dose followed by a full dose, rather than two full doses, protection rose to about 90%.
He said, “These findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives.”
Two competitors, Pfizer and Moderna, last week reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing that their COVID-19 vaccines were almost 95% effective.
