One AstraZeneca or Pfizer jab cuts death risk by 80%

BRITAIN can ‘breathe a sigh of relief’ after it was confirmed that just one dose of the AstraZeneca or the Pfizer jabs cut the chances of dying by 0 per cent.

Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine also slashed the odds of dying by 97 per cent, according to the ‘real-world’ Public Health England figures based on the effect on those given the vaccines rather than in medical trials.

A separate report found further evidence that the Pfizer was highly effective at reducing the risk of hospital admissions, particularly for older patients.

Over- 0s who have two doses of the Pfizer vaccine cut their odds of needing hospital treatment by 93 per cent.

Meanwhile, Pfizer maker BioNTech said it was confident the jab would work against emerging variants.

On the day England recorded no coronavirus deaths for the first time since March 11 last year, the astonishing success rates are another major success story in the UK’s vaccine rollout.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘The evidence is clear that vaccines provide significant layers of protection.

‘People across the country can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their risk of becoming seriously ill or hospitalised with the virus is significantly reduced after being vaccinated. The vaccine is saving thousands of lives and giving us hope on our road to recovery.’

Public Health England (PHE) estimates at least 10,000 lives have been saved by the vaccine programme, with one in three adults now fully vaccinated against Covid.

Scientists found that the jabs offered 0 per cent protection against dying, they analysed the records of almost 50,000 people in England who tested positive for the virus between December and April.

Comparing vaccination rates among 20,000 patients hospitalised with Covid in the same four-month period showed how two doses of the Pfizer jab cut admission by 93 per cent for the over- 0s.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE, said: ‘The vaccines are saving lives every day. This analysis gives us even more reassurance that the vaccine is highly effective in protecting adults.

‘Getting your vaccine will significantly reduce your risk of dying or becoming seriously ill from Covid. It will also significantly reduce your chances of getting infected and infecting others.’

Vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi said: ‘Vaccines have been one of the biggest medical marvels in history and the data published today proves how valuable they are in keeping people safe.

‘It’s fantastic to see this real-world data and the impact both vaccines are having on protecting the public and the NHS.’