Pharmacetics Magazine – An interim analysis of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and the biotechnology company AstraZeneca has shown encouraging results, with data from a large phase 3 clinical trial showing an average “effectiveness” of 70.4%, according to the development team vaccine.
Efforts to develop a vaccine are underway in countries around the world, with the hope of spreading the vaccine among vulnerable populations as soon as possible and preventing further spread of the virus.
On Monday (23/11/2020), AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford disclosed a provisional analysis in a press release, just two weeks after the vaccine candidates from Pfizer and then Moderna proved to be at least 90% effective against COVID-19 infection.
The new analysis, which other scientists have yet to review, looked at 131 cases of COVID-19 in which two different dosage regimes were tested. The first is a half dose followed by a full dose a month later. The second is two full doses given one month apart. The previous regime was very effective in preventing infection.
“We have found that one of our dosing regimens may be about 90% effective and if this dosing regimen is used, more people can be vaccinated with the planned vaccine supply,” said Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, in an Oxford press release.
Researchers are continuing to evaluate data on this regimen, which they believe could help prevent transmission of the virus, and hope to release more information on this soon.
One of the main benefits of the Oxford vaccine compared to its Pfizer and Moderna counterparts is its ability to be stored in a regular refrigerator rather than an ultra-cold freezer, allowing it to be more easily transported around the world.
The clinical trial for the Oxford vaccine involved volunteers from the UK, South Africa and Brazil. No one who took part in the trial was hospitalized, and no serious cases were reported. Further trials are now underway in the US, Kenya, Japan and India, with researchers targeting just under 60,000 participants in the trial by year’s end.
The next step for this vaccine is for the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca to send the collected data to regulators around the world for independent surveillance and product approval – including for emergency use. Regulators have been checking the data on a rotational basis during trials, but will require a complete analysis to approve the vaccine.
“As with all the preliminary results we’ve seen, it is imperative that trials are completed and regulators can now assess the data independently and rigorously,” said Charlie Weller, head of vaccines at Wellcome.
The same data analysis will be submitted for review and independent scientific publication
AstraZeneca and Oxford have agreed to distribute vaccines on a non-profit basis throughout the world, including Indonesia. They say they have no intention of changing conditions in low- and middle-income countries.
Source:
Oxford coronavirus vaccine is 70% effective on average, researchers say https://www.cnet.com/news/oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-is-70-effective-on-average-researchers-say/
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