Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine is up to 90% effective, preliminary data shows
News: The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca have reported that their COVID-19 vaccine is up to 90% effective, according to interim data from the Phase III trial. The trial found that the vaccine was 70% effective when data from two different dosing regimens were combined, one of which was 90% and the other was 62%. The 90% effective regimen used a halved first dose and a second full dose, compared to the 62% effective regimen in which participants received two full doses. There are over 24,000 volunteers participating in the ongoing trial in the UK, Brazil and South Africa.
Why is it promising: The data has not yet been submitted for peer review or publication, but researchers in the trial say this suggests the vaccine also reduced asymptomatic transmission. This would mean that the vaccine not only helps keep people from feeling bad, but also helps reduce rates of transmission of the virus. No one who received the vaccine was hospitalized or had serious illness and it worked well in all age groups.
Old school: While the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are based on new mRNA technology, the Oxford vaccine is a more traditional adenovirus vaccine. It is based on a weaker version of a virus that causes the common cold in chimpanzees and has been modified so that it cannot develop in humans. Adenovirus vaccines are easier to store and transport. Therefore, unlike Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, which require extremely cold storage, Oxford vaccine can be stored at refrigerator temperature (35.6-46.4 ° F).
Who receives it? Oxford and AstraZeneca are committed to providing the vaccine on a not-for-profit basis throughout the duration of the pandemic worldwide and on an ongoing basis for low- and middle-income countries. AstraZeneca has already made deals to deliver three billion doses of the vaccine. The UK has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine, which is enough to immunize the majority of its population. If approved, implementation will begin before Christmas. Australia has also ordered 34 million doses.
