AstraZeneca says its COVID-19 vaccine is 'highly effective' in preventing disease
LONDON – AstraZeneca said Monday that late-stage trials showed its COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University was up to 90% effective in preventing disease.
The results are based on interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. No hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine, AstraZeneca said.
The trial looked at two different dosing regimens. A half-dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month apart was 90% effective. A second regimen using two full doses one month apart was 62% effective. The combined results showed an average efficacy rate of 70%.
"These findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives," Andrew Pollard, chief investigator for the trial, said in a statement. "Excitingly, we've found that one of our dosing regimens may be around 90% effective."
AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for its potential COVID-19 vaccine as public health officials anxiously wait for vaccines that will end the pandemic that has killed almost 1.4 million people. Last week, Pfizer and Moderna reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95% effective.
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Unlike many of its rivals, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine does not have to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, which would make it far easier to distribute in developing countries.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said the simple supply chain for AstraZeneca's vaccine and the company's commitment to provide it on a nonprofit basis during the pandemic mean it would be affordable and available to people around the world.
"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," Soriot said.
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COVID-19 infection rates are rising in most U.S. states and in many countries, once again prompting governments to shut down businesses and restrict social gatherings. England is in the middle of a four-week lockdown that closed all nonessential shops, and the U.S. government's top health agency recommended that Americans not travel to visit family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday this week.
Now that AstraZeneca has released its interim results, regulators must approve the vaccine before it can be widely distributed.
Britain has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and the government said several million doses could be produced before the end of the year if it gains approval from the regulator.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he felt "a great sense of relief" at the news of the AstraZeneca vaccine's effectiveness.
He said months ago, as the virus raged, "the idea that by November, we would have three vaccines, all of which have got high effectiveness … I would have given my eye teeth for."