Third COVID Vaccine up to 90% Effective

The University of Oxford announced Monday that a COVID-19 vaccine it’s developed with AstraZeneca is around 90% effective without any serious side effects, according to initial data.

The University of Oxford announced Monday that a COVID-19 vaccine it’s developed with AstraZeneca is around 90% effective without any serious side effects, according to initial data.

Like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the AstraZeneca vaccine needs to be given in two doses. It was most effective when administered as a half dose followed by a full dose at least one month apart.

Another dosing regimen showed 62% efficacy when given as two full doses at least one month apart and the combined analysis from both dosing regimens resulted in an average efficacy of 70%. All results were statistically significant.

One benefit of the AstraZeneca vaccine over its rivals is that it can be easily stored, transported and handled in normal refrigerated conditions for at least six months. It will also expected be cheaper than rival coronavirus vaccines from makers Pfizer and Moderna.

AstraZeneca executives said the vaccine is already being manufactured. The first 4 million doses could be ready in December, and 40 million could be delivered in the first quarter of 2021.

AstraZeneca is the third biotech company to unveil promising results in the fight against coronaviru. Pfizer and Moderna both reported earlier this month their coronavirus vaccines had efficacy rates of about 95%.