US study promotes AstraZeneca: 79 percent effective for preventing symptomatic forms

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March 22, 2021 

AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine has been shown to be 79% effective in preventing symptomatic forms of the virus and 100% in preventing serious illness and hospitalization.

This is what the company reports in a note, citing a study carried out in the United States.

The data collected concern a study carried out on 32,449 participants who matured 141 symptomatic cases of Covid-19.

The study had a 2: 1 randomization of the vaccine to placebo.

In participants aged 65 and over, the vaccine efficacy was 80%.

The vaccine, the study continues, was well tolerated and the independent data safety monitoring committee (DSMB) did not identify any safety issues related to the vaccine.

The DSMB conducted a specific review of thrombotic events and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) with the assistance of an independent neurologist.

The DSMB found no increased risk of thrombosis or thrombotic events among the 21,583 participants who received at least one dose of the vaccine.

CVST-specific search found no events in this study.

Ann Falsey, Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in the United States and co-lead Principal Investigator for the study, said: "These results reaffirm the previous results observed in the AZD1222 studies in all adult populations, but it is exciting. see similar efficacy results in people over the age of 65 for the first time. This analysis validates the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine as a necessary additional vaccination option, offering the confidence that adults of all ages can benefit from protection against the virus ".

Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, Biopharmaceutical Research and Development, said: “These findings add to the growing body of evidence showing that this vaccine is well tolerated and highly effective against all severities of Covid-19 and across all age groups. age.

We are confident that this vaccine can play an important role in protecting millions of people around the world from this deadly virus.

We are preparing to present these findings to the US Food and Drug Administration and to launch millions of doses across America in the event the vaccine gains authorization for emergency use in the US. "

AstraZeneca will continue to analyze the data and prepare for the primary analysis to be submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization in the coming weeks. Among the interim analysis participants, approximately 79% were white / Caucasian, 8% Black / African American, 4% Native American and 4% Asian, and 22% of participants were Hispanic. Approximately 20% of participants were 65 years of age or older and approximately 60% had comorbidities associated with a increased risk of severe Covid-19 progression, such as diabetes, severe obesity, or heart disease.

This phase III study conducted by AstraZeneca in the United States included two doses administered at four-week intervals.

di demonstrated that a prolonged interval of up to 12 weeks demonstrated greater efficacy, also supported by immunogenicity data.

This evidence suggests that giving the second dose with an interval longer than four weeks could further increase efficacy and accelerate the number of people who can receive the first dose.

The vaccine can be stored, transported and handled under normal refrigerated conditions (2-8 degrees Celsius or 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least six months and administered without the need for preparation within existing health facilities.

AstraZeneca "continues to engage with governments, multilateral organizations and collaborators around the world to ensure broad and equitable access to the nonprofit vaccine throughout the duration of the pandemic," the company explains.