According to interim data from Phase III trials, the candidate vaccine developed by the University of Oxford provides 70% protection from COVID-19. Earlier, the WHO said that the effectiveness of vaccines against coronavirus should be at least 50%.

The researchers from the University of Oxford have estimated that the minimum efficiency of the vaccine against COVID-19 is 62% and a maximum is 90%. The latter result is achieved by giving half the dose and then the full dose of the vaccine.

‘These findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives. Excitingly, we’ve found that one of our dosing regimens may be around 90% effective and if this dosing regimen is used, more people could be vaccinated with planned vaccine supply,’ – said Professor Andrew Pollard, Director of Oxford Vaccine Group.

According to the report, the “Oxford vaccine” is also easy and quick to distribute, since it does not require special storage conditions. The “refrigerator temperature” – plus 2-8 degrees Celsius – is sufficient.

Earlier, the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced the BNT162b2 vaccine, which provides 90% protection against COVID-19. Russian scientists from the Gamaleya Center said their Sputnik V vaccine provided even better protection – 92%.

Text: Ekaterina Gril, photo: Marco Verch (CC BY 2.0)