Tuesday, December 24, 2024
spot_img

We have the winning formula: Oxford

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

London, Dec 27: The coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca “should be” effective against the highly transmissible new strain of the virus, a UK media report said on Sunday.
The Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine, which also has a tie-up with the Serum Institute of India, is expected to win approval in the UK before Thursday, speeding up the provision of the jab to the most vulnerable groups.
“The first priority is to vaccinate the 12 to 15 million people who would need hospitalisation if they caught COVID. Approval for the AstraZeneca vaccine would mean we are well on course to do that by the spring,” a senior government official was quoted by The Sunday Times as saying.
The source warned that the new strain of COVID-19 had overtaken the old and was “running rampant” in the UK.
“The latest figures are not good, but the guidance is the MHRA [the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency] will give the Oxford vaccine the go-ahead by midweek,” the source said.
AstraZeneca’s chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said that new data will show that the vaccine is as effective as the Pfizer and Moderna jabs that have already been approved, protecting 95 per cent of patients, and is “100 per cent effective” in preventing severe illness requiring hospital treatment.
He said that it “should be” effective against the new highly transmissible variant of the deadly virus, which put England under complete lockdown again after its rapid spread was detected.
In the first trials of the Oxford vaccine, it was found to be 62 per cent effective overall, though one group accidentally given a half-dose first was 90 per cent protected.
“We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody else,” Soriot told the newspaper. (IANS)

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Assam Rifles foils major IED threat in Manipur’s Churachandpur

Imphal, Dec 24: Assam Rifles along with other security forces foiled a major IED threat on the Imphal-Dimapur...

NHAI setting up shelters for stray cattle along highways to prevent accidents

New Delhi, Dec 24: To enhance road safety and address the challenge of stray cattle-related accidents, the National...

Mahakumbh 2025: Super deluxe and villa tent houses ready, booking to begin from Jan 10

Mahakumbh Nagar, Dec 24: Mahakumbh 2025, the world's largest cultural and spiritual event, is set to begin in...

Explainer: All you need to know about the GST on EVs

New Delhi, Dec 24: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has clarified that the increase in GST from 12 per...