Novavax "COVID-19 Vaccine 89% Effective... Less Than 50% Against South African Variant" (Update)

85.6% Prevention Effectiveness Against UK-Origin Variant

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The COVID-19 vaccine developed by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Novavax has been shown to have a preventive efficacy of 89%. However, it demonstrated less than 50% efficacy against the variant virus originating from South Africa (Namagong).

On the 28th (local time), Novavax announced that its COVID-19 vaccine showed a preventive efficacy of 89.3% in clinical trials, according to major foreign media such as CNBC. This is a preliminary result from a Phase 3 clinical trial conducted in the UK involving about 15,000 participants aged 18 to 84.

The vaccine also showed preventive effects against some variant viruses. It demonstrated 85.6% efficacy against the UK variant virus. On the other hand, it showed 49.4% efficacy against the South African variant virus. Novavax explained, "Among the confirmed cases participating in the clinical trial, 90% were infected with the South African variant virus," and "the preventive efficacy appears to be lower against the South African variant virus."

Novavax CEO Stanley Erck commented on the clinical trial results announced that day, saying, "We expect our vaccine to play a decisive role in resolving the COVID-19 pandemic," and added, "We will strive to supply it as quickly as possible."

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