Covid 19 coronavirus: AstraZeneca says Oxford vaccine 'highly effective' prevention

AstraZeneca says late-stage trials of its Covid-19 vaccine were "highly effective'' in preventing disease. Photo / AP

AstraZeneca said today that late stage trials of its Covid-19 vaccine developed with Oxford University were "highly effective" in preventing disease.

The results are based on interim analysis of trials in Britain and Brazil of the vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca.

No hospitalisations or severe cases of Covid-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine, AstraZeneca said.

"These findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives. Excitingly that one of our dosing regimens may be around 90 per cent effective," said Professor Andrew Pollard, the chief investigator for the trial.

The trial looked at two different dosing regimens — a half dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month apart was 90 per cent effective. A second regimen using two full doses one month apart was 62 per cent effective. The combined results showed an average efficacy rate of 70 per cent.

"This vaccine's efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against Covid-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency," AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot said.

"Furthermore, the vaccine's simple supply chain and our no-profit pledge and commitment to broad, equitable and timely access means it will be affordable and globally available, supplying hundreds of millions of doses on approval."

Two other drugmakers, Pfizer and Moderna, last week reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their Covid-19 vaccines were almost 95 per cent effective.