The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine could be the holy grail in the fight against coronavirus, according to a leading pharmacologist. The preliminary results of a study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford found the efficacy from two standard doses of the vaccine administered three months apart to be 82.4%. But it is the fact it also seems to dramatically cut transmission - by around 67 per cent - after just one dose that will mean lockdown measures can be lifted sooner, a former chair at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine said. Dr Gillies O’Bryan-Tear said the results, which have yet to be peer reviewed, were the first definitive estimate of the impact of vaccination on transmission rates.
A single dose of the Oxford vaccine may reduce transmission of coronavirus by two thirds, according to a new study which provides a major boost to the UK’s recommendation that the second jab should be delayed for up to 12 weeks.
Researchers said that the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab offers protection of 76% up to three months and may reduce transmission by 67% – with efficacy rising to 82.4% after the second dose 12 weeks later.
The data from the study by the University of Oxford, which has not yet been peer reviewed, supports the four to 12-week prime-boost dosing interval that many global regulators, including the UK’s, have recommended.
It also suggests the vaccine eliminates severe illness, as none of those in the study were admitted to hospital with coronavirus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This is a hugely encouraging study and further reinforces our confidence that vaccines are capable of reducing transmission and protecting people from this awful disease.
“This report shows the Oxford vaccine works and works well.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the data from the study was “really encouraging”.
Professor Andrew Pollard, chief investigator of the Oxford Vaccine Trial – and study co-author, said: “These new data provide an important verification of the interim data that was used by more than 25 regulators including the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) and EMA (European Medicines Agency) to grant the vaccine emergency use authorisation.
Last week, when the UK had vaccinated 10% of its population. Dr Susan Hopkins, Covid-19 strategic response director at Public Health England, said Britain was still far away from achieving herd immunity.
She told a Downing Street press conference: The big job here is to roll out the vaccination to those individuals first of all, to those who are high risk of death and hospitalisation and then to the rest of the population. Once we have done that, then we will have herd immunity. We should not be focusing on getting infection and the consequences of this infection, getting us out of this right now.
Coronavirus morning headlines as Oxford vaccine could mean lockdown is lifted sooner
The UK is also on track to give all adults two jabs by the end of August
07:32, 3 FEB 2021
Updated
The video will auto-play soon8Cancel
Play now
Wales Online -
Subscribe
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice
Here are the coronavirus morning headlines for Wednesday, February 3, as it is being reported the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine appears to cut transmission rates by 67%.