ASTRAZENECA DISPELS UNEASE

Trials show vaccine 80pc effective in preventing virus in elderly, says firm

ASTRAZENECA’S Covid19 vaccine is 80 per cent effective at preventing the disease in the elderly and does not increase the risk of blood clots, the biotech firm said yesterday, following its United States phase three efficacy trials.

It was 79 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic Covid19 in the overall population and 100 per cent effective at preventing severe disease and hospitalisation, it said.

Several countries had advised against administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to older people due to a lack of data among elderly participants in previous trials. Earlier this month, several countries paused use of the AstraZeneca shot over fears it might cause blood clots.

The US phase three trial of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University involved 32,449 participants, with two-thirds receiving the jab, the pharmaceutical firm said.

Around 20 per cent were 65 or older, and about 60 per cent had health conditions associated with a higher risk of severe Covid19, such as diabetes, severe obesity or cardiac disease.

“These findings reconfirm previous results observed in AZD1222 trials across all adult populations, but it’s exciting to see similar efficacy results in people over 65 for the first time,” said Ann Falsey, professor of medicine at University of Rochester School of Medicine and co-lead principal investigator for the trial.

“This analysis validates the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine as a much-needed additional vaccination option, offering confidence that adults of all ages can benefit from protection against the virus.”

The trial’s independent data safety monitoring board found no increased risk of thrombosis among the 21,583 participants who received at least one dose, the pharmaceutical firm said.

Some leading European Union countries have resumed AstraZeneca vaccinations after the European Medicines Agency said on Thursday the jab was “safe and effective” and was not linked to an increased risk of blood clots.

AstraZeneca said it was preparing to submit its findings to the US Food and Drug Administration to authorise the shot for emergency use.

“These results add to the growing body of evidence that shows this vaccine is well tolerated and highly effective against all severities of Covid-19 and across all age groups,” said Mene Pangalos, executive vice-president of the biopharmaceuticals R&D.

The results also suggested that administering the second shot more than four weeks after the first could further increase efficacy.

Previous trials have shown leaving a gap of up to 12 weeks between jabs increased its efficacy.

Taiwan kicked off its coronavirus inoculation drive yesterday with two top officials getting AstraZeneca shots in a bid to boost public confidence in a vaccine that has had a troubled rollout.

Premier Su Tseng-chang and Health Minister Chen Shihchung sat for jabs at a Taipei hospital after local authorities cleared the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant’s vaccine for use.

“I am not feeling any pain at the spot. I hope everyone can feel at ease after seeing my condition,” said Su, 73, in footage televised live.