03/22/2021 7:16 AM
Clarín.com
Society
Updated 03/22/2021 7:28 AM
The vaccine created by the University of Oxford and the pharmaceutical AstraZeneca shows 79% effectiveness in preventing symptomatic coronavirus and offers 100% protection against serious illness and hospitalization, according to data from a new study conducted in the US, Chile. and Peru released this Monday.
These results were extracted from phase III of a trial conducted among 32,449 people of all age groups in the aforementioned countries, in which a total of 141 cases of symptomatic covid-19 were registered.
In a statement, the Anglo-Swedish company said that the new findings also showed that
the preparation provides 80% protection when it comes to preventing people over 65 from
developing the disease.
The degree of effectiveness of the vaccine
was even higher than that observed during clinical trials led by the University of Oxford.
This is the vaccine that will be produced in Argentina and Mexico to be distributed in Latin America, although the first doses to the country would only arrive in mid-April.
The AstraZeneca vaccine has generated much controversy in several European countries in recent weeks as it has been linked to very rare cases of blood clots.
A health worker applies a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Cyprus.
Photo: AFP.
The vaccine was well tolerated and the independent safety oversight body (DSMB)
did not identify concerns related to the safety of that preparation
, the note said.
The DSMB found no increased risk of thrombotic episodes among the 21,583 participants who received at least one dose of the vaccine, based on this.
The study co-author, Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester (USA) Ann Falsey, said today that "these findings reconfirm previous results observed in trials of all adult populations but it is exciting to see results of similar efficacy in over 65 for the first time ".
"This analysis validates AstraZeneca's covid-19 vaccine as an additional vaccination option,
offering assurance that adults of all ages can benefit from protection against the virus,
" he added.
For his part, Professor of Pediatric Infection and Immunity Andrew Pollard, lead investigator of the Oxford University trial, called these findings "big news" and "show the remarkable efficacy of the vaccine in a new population and are consistent with the results of the Oxford-led trials. "
"
We can expect a strong impact against covid-19 in all age groups
and in people of different origins from widespread use of the vaccine," he added.
Also the co-designer of the preparation Sarah Gilbert noted that the new findings "provide further confirmation of the safety and effectiveness" of the vaccine.
"In many different countries and across all age groups," he said, "the vaccine is providing a high level of protection against COVID-19 and we are confident that this will lead to more widespread use of the vaccine in global attempts to put an end to the pandemic. "
AstraZeneca will now provide the data to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and seek emergency approval for its use.
As part of an agreement with Oxford, AstraZeneca provides the preparation without profit to low- and middle-income countries.
With information from EFE.
JPE
Look also
United Kingdom vaccinates at record rate: 873,784 doses applied in one day
South Africa sold a remnant of AstraZeneca vaccines, considering them ineffective against the local strain
