AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy At 79% In U.S. Study; Centre Recommends Doses Can Be Given 6-8 Weeks Apart

AstraZeneca-Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated an efficacy of 79% at preventing symptomatic Covid-19 in large-scale phase III trials in the US, much higher than UK trial results. Interim data rests speculation on the vaccine’s efficacy on those over 65 years, and showed a 100% efficacy against severe disease & hospitalisation. The data validates it “as a much-needed additional vaccination option, offering confidence that adults of all ages can benefit from protection against the virus”, AstraZeneca said. Confidence in the safety of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine has taken a big hit in several countries in Europe as reports of rare blood clots have been linked to it, with many countries temporarily pausing on its use in the vaccinations. In India, government is monitoring the serious adverse effects of the vaccines being administered, including Covishield, AstraZeneca’s vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute. Meanwhile, India on March 22 said that the gap between the first and second doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University's Covishield vaccine should be increased to 6-8 weeks from the current 28 days.