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A UK-developed coronavirus vaccine can prevent 70.4% of people from contracting Covid-19 and up to 90% if a lower dose is used, according to data.
The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca have announced that their jab is effective in preventing many people from getting sick and has been shown to work in different age groups, including the elderly. There are early indications that it could also help stop the spread of the disease.
Sarah Gilbert, Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford, said: “Today’s announcement takes us another step towards where we can use vaccines to end the devastation caused by [Covid-19].
“We will continue to work to provide detailed information to regulators. It has been a privilege to be part of this multinational effort, which will benefit the whole world. “
The University of Oxford said the interim analysis of its Phase 3 vaccine trial showed that their vaccine’s efficacy is 70%. But this resulted from the combination of results from two different dosage regimens, one of which was 90% and the other 62%. The 90% regimen involved first a half dose and then a full dose of the vaccine. The interim analysis was based on 131 infections between participants who received the vaccine and those in a control group who were given an injection of known meningitis.
In a statement, prof. Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and chief investigator of the Oxford vaccine trial, said: “These results show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives. Interestingly, we found that one of our dosing regimens can be around 90% effective, and if this dosing regimen is used, more people could be vaccinated with a scheduled vaccine supply.
“Today’s announcement is only possible thanks to the many volunteers from our firm and the talented and hard-working team of researchers based around the world.”
He said if people were given half a dose of the Oxford vaccine first, followed by a full dose a month later, they would have 90% protection.
“There is only a hint in the data at the moment that those who got that higher protection regimen suggest it was also able to reduce the asymptomatic infection,” he told BBC Radio 4 Today. “If so, we may be able to stop the virus and stop transmission between people.”
His colleague, prof. Sarah Gilbert, Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford, said: “Today’s announcement takes us another step towards the time when we can use vaccines to end the devastation caused by Sars-CoV-2. We will continue to work to provide detailed information to regulatory authorities. It has been a privilege to be part of this multinational effort that will benefit the whole world. “
The UK Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization has published a list of groups of people who will be prioritized to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. The list is:
1 All those 80 years and over and the health and social workers.
2 Everyone aged 75 and over.
3 Anyone 70+.
4 All those aged 65 and over.
5 Adults under 65 at high risk of serious illness and mortality from Covid-19.
6 Adults under 65 at moderate risk of serious disease and mortality from Covid-19.
7 Everyone aged 60 and over.
8 Everyone aged 55 and over.
9 Everyone aged 50 and over.
10 Rest of the population.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said: “Today marks an important milestone in our fight against the pandemic. The efficacy and safety of this vaccine confirm that it will be highly effective against Covid-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency.
“Additionally, the vaccine’s simple supply chain and our nonprofit commitment and commitment to broad, fair and timely access means it will be affordable and available globally, providing hundreds of millions of doses upon approval.”
The UK has placed orders for 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine – enough to vaccinate the majority of the population – with launch expected in the coming weeks if the jab is approved.
It also has orders for 40 million doses of a jab from Pfizer and BioNTech, which has been shown to be 95% effective. Another hit from Moderna is 95% effective, according to test data.
Australia has ordered 33.8 million doses of the vaccine.
Coronavirus cases in the UK
UK health secretary Matt Hancock called the data “very encouraging news,” but stressed that the vaccines needed to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
“This is really encouraging news about the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, which we have obviously supported since the beginning,” he told Sky News. “And I am really very happy, I really welcome these figures, these data, which show that the vaccine in the right dosage can be up to 90% effective.
“Obviously, it’s crucial that the independent regulator, the MHRA, needs to look at the data, they’ll have to check it to make sure it’s effective and safe, of course. But we have 100 million doses in order and hopefully most of the launch will happen in the new year. “
He added: “And obviously this vaccine, this homemade vaccine, is easier to administer than the Pfizer vaccine, because it doesn’t need to be stored at -70. So having two vaccines that appear to be effective, done right, in the 90% range is really good news. “
Boris Johnson said: “Incredibly exciting news that the Oxford vaccine has proven so effective in testing. There are still more security checks in sight, but these are fantastic results. Kudos to our brilliant scientists at UniofOxford and AstraZeneca and to all who volunteered in the trials. “
The secretary of affairs, Alok Sharma, said the results of an interim analysis by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca’s candidate for vaccine coronavirus were “very promising”.
He tweeted: “Very promising data from the Oxford / AstraZeneca Phase III clinical trials. We are at the height of an enormous scientific advance that could protect millions of lives. The UK has secured early access to 100 million doses of their vaccine, plus 255 million doses from other developers. “
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