Covid-19, the efficacy results of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine also arrive

An efficacy of 62% or 90% depending on the dosage used: the vaccine against Covid-19 from Oxford and AstraZeneca also generates a powerful immune response and can be stored in the refrigerator

(photo: Daniel Schludi / Unsplash) In the race for the anti Covid-19 vaccine, the candidate from the University of Oxford, created in collaboration with AstraZeneca, also arrives in view of the finish line. A preliminary analysis of the data shows that the vaccine is effective on average at 70% and, since there were also fewer asymptomatic infections among the volunteers, it appears to reduce the transmission of the virus.

Efficacy 70%

Even the more traditional approach to the vaccine against Sars-Cov-2 from Oxford-AstraZeneca (which is not as mRna as those of Pfizer-Biontech and Moderna but exploits cold adenoviruses) seems to give excellent results . From an initial analysis of the data of the phase 3 trial, when 131 cases of Covid-19 occurred among the 24 thousand volunteers involved in the trial, it emerged that the effectiveness of the device is different at different dosage regimens: by 90% if half a dose is used at the first administration and a full dose at the next month's booster; 62% if two full doses are used. Overall the effectiveness resulting from the experimentation is 70.4%.

It prevents the transmission of the virus, perhaps

The British researchers have also provided other interesting preliminary data: in the branch of experimentation which used ½ + 1 doses, asymptomatic coronavirus infections among the vaccinated were fewer than in the control arm - a clue that could mean that this vaccine is able to reduce the transmission of the virus and not just prevent severe forms of Covid -19. However, subsequent analyzes are awaited to verify this impression.

Confirmed safety

The new analyzes have confirmed that the vaccine is safe, ie it does not give rise to serious adverse effects. However, surveillance will continue to verify safety and efficacy in other populations as well. In fact, tests in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa will be joined by those still underway in the United States, Kenya, Japan and India.

Easy to store and distribute

As for other vaccines adenovirus already on the market, even that of Oxford-Astrazeneca has considerable advantages: it can be easily produced and is stable at refrigerator temperatures (2-8 ° C), which means that it does not encounter particular difficulties in storage and distribution even in most disadvantaged areas of the world. Furthermore, once approved, it can be produced in large quantities and distributed very quickly.

AstraZeneca has already entered into international agreements for the distribution of three billion doses of the vaccine worldwide. It will be provided without profit for the company for the duration of the pandemic, and forever for low- and middle-income countries.