Astra Covid vaccine found to be 79% effective in US study

Astra Covid vaccine found to be 79% effective in US study

Shows Strong Protection For 65+, 100% Efficacy Against Severe Disease

Rupali.Mukherjee@timesgroup.com

23.03.2021 

AstraZeneca-Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated an efficacy of 79% at preventing symptomatic Covid-19 in large-scale phase III trials in the US, much higher than UK trial results. The interim data rests speculation on the vaccine’s efficacy on those over 65 years, and showed a 100% efficacy against severe disease and hospitalisation. The data validates it “as a much-needed additional vaccination option, offering confidence that adults of all ages can benefit from protection against the virus”, AstraZeneca said.

Confidence in the safety of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine has taken a big hit in several countries in Europe as reports of rare blood clots have been linked to it, with many countries temporarily pausing on its use in the vaccinations. In India, government is monitoring the serious adverse effects of the vaccines being administered, including Covishield, AstraZeneca’s vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute.

The results could provide the much-needed boost to the company’s vaccine, which has been facing doubts around its safety and efficacy recently.

The interim safety and efficacy analysis was based on over 32,000 participants accruing 141 symptomatic Covid cases. Vaccine efficacy was consistent across ethnicity and age, the firm said. Significantly, in participants aged 65 years and over, vaccine efficacy was 80%.Ann Falsey at University of Rochester School of Medicine (US) and co-lead principal investigator for the trial, said: “These findings reconfirm previous results observed in AZD1222 trials across all adult populations but it’s exciting to see similar efficacy results in people over 65 for the first time”.

Armed with the findings, the company plans to apply for US approval. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday that the governemnt would equitably integrate AstraZeneca’s vaccine into the distribution system if the vaccine is approved by FDA. Interestingly, the US trial data showed that the vaccine’s efficacy of 79% was achieved when two standard doses were given at an interval of four weeks, while data from UK trials showed an efficacy of 53% for an interval of less than six weeks. The vaccine was well tolerated, and the independent data safety monitoring board identified no safety concerns, the statement added.

Officials expressed hope that the results would shore up global confidence in the vaccine “I have just finished getting the (AstraZeneca) injection, there is no pain at the injection site, and there is no soreness of the body,” Taiwan PM Su Tseng-chang said on Monday. And French President Macron has said he would take the AstraZeneca vaccine if that’s what was offered after previously being quoted as saying the shot was “quasi-ineffective”.

(With input from agencies)