AstraZeneca's COVID-19 Vaccine Shows 78.9% Efficacy in Preventing Symptomatic COVID-19

Results from a large clinical trial in the United States and South America indicate that AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222, is well-tolerated and protects against symptomatic COVID-19 disease, including severe disease or hospitalization. The vaccine demonstrated statistically significant efficacy of 78.9% in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% efficacy in preventing severe or critical disease and hospitalization. The trial involved 32,449 adult volunteer participants enrolled across 88 sites in the United States, Chile, and Peru.

Key Takeaways:

• The vaccine demonstrated statistically significant efficacy of 78.9% in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% efficacy in preventing severe or critical disease and hospitalization.
• The vaccine was well-tolerated and no safety concerns related to the vaccine were identified by the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB).
• The vaccine was effective across different age groups, including those 65 years and older, with an efficacy of 79.9% in preventing symptomatic COVID-19.
• Approximately 60% of participants had underlying health conditions associated with an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19.
• The vaccine was developed by Oxford University's Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group and licensed to AstraZeneca for further development.
• The technology used in the vaccine is based on a viral vector-based vaccine that uses a safe, non-replicating chimpanzee adenovirus to deliver the genetic code of a protein found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2.
• The vaccine can be stored, transported, and handled at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit (normal refrigeration temperatures) for at least six months.

Statistics:

• 78.9% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19
• 100% efficacy in preventing severe or critical disease and hospitalization
• 79.9% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in participants 65 years and older
• 60% of participants had underlying health conditions associated with an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19
• 32,449 adult volunteer participants enrolled in the trial
• 88 sites in the United States, Chile, and Peru participated in the trial

Sources:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Oxford University's Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group
• AstraZeneca
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• European Commission
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
• PreventCovid.org
• Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04516746)