AstraZeneca-Oxford "COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Average 70% Efficacy"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Bloomberg reported on the 23rd (local time) that the average immunity efficacy of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford in the UK and multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is 70%.

Initial data analysis from the Phase 3 clinical trial showed that the vaccine prevented COVID-19 infection in an average of 70% of the trial participants. The research team conducted the trial on 23,000 people, split evenly between the UK and Brazil.

As a result, among participants who received two doses of the vaccine, 30 were confirmed COVID-19 cases, while 101 confirmed cases were found among those who received a placebo. Based on this, the research team explained that the vaccine's immunity efficacy is on average 70%.

Bloomberg noted that this level is lower compared to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which have immunity efficacies reaching 95%. However, the Oxford-AstraZeneca team stated that depending on the administration method, the vaccine's immunity efficacy can increase up to 90%.

In a press release on the same day, AstraZeneca said, "The vaccine's efficacy and safety confirm that it is highly effective against COVID-19," adding that "it will have an immediate impact on the public health crisis."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and SK Bioscience have signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with AstraZeneca for the domestic and global supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. Accordingly, this vaccine is expected to be supplied domestically as well.

BBC explained that although the immunity efficacy is a relatively disappointing result, the advantages are that the vaccine is easy to store and distribute and is inexpensive.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.