Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine significantly cuts spread of COVID-19

The primary analysis of the Phase III clinical trials from the UK, Brazil and South Africa, confirmed COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca is safe and effective at preventing COVID-19, with no severe cases and no hospitalisations, more than 22 days after the first jab.

Results demonstrated vaccine efficacy of 76 percent after a first shot, with protection maintained to the second dose. With an inter-dose interval of 12 weeks or more, vaccine efficacy increased to 82 percent.

The examination also showed the potential for the vaccine to reduce asymptomatic transmission of the virus, based on weekly swabs obtained from volunteers in the UK trial. The data showed that PCR positive readings were reduced by 67 percent after a single dose, and 50 percent after the two dose regimen, supporting a substantial impact on transmission of the virus.

The vaccine can be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions (two-eight degrees Celsius/36-46 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 6 months and can be administered within existing healthcare settings.

Earlier, Pakistan announced that it has secured 17 million doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine through the World Health Organization's COVAX programme. Pakistani government plans to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the country’s adult population to attain herd immunity over the coming months.