Latest Effectiveness Data 76 Percent, AstraZeneca Vaccine Immediately Apply For Authorization In The US

Vaccine AstraZeneca. (Wikimedia Commons / gencat cat)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer AstraZeneca announced that its vaccine production is effective up to 76 percent for preventing the coronavirus with symptoms, according to the latest trial results.

This figure is down compared to the effectiveness announcement made by AstraZeneca on Monday, where AstraZeneca said the 79 percent figure was responded with criticism because it was called using old data.

"The main analysis is consistent with our preliminary analysis released earlier. And it is confirmed, our COVID-19 vaccine is very effective in adults", said Executive Vice President of Research and Development for BioPharm Pharmaceutical AstraZeneca in a statement.

The latest data are based on 190 infections among more than 32.400 participants in the United States (US), Chile, and Peru. The preliminary data were based on 141 infections as of February 17

AstraZeneca reiterated that it would immediately apply for an authorization for emergency use in the United States in the next few weeks, with new trial data already being presented to the independent trial supervisory committee, the Data Security Monitoring Agency.

In addition, AstraZeneca confirmed on Thursday that the vaccine developed with the University of Oxford is 100 percent effective against severe or critical forms of the disease. The vaccine is also said to show the efficacy of 85 percent in adults 65 years and over.

In comparison, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which have received the authority for use in the United States, have an efficacy rate of up to 95 percent. However, the AstraZeneca vaccine is still needed to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is known to be easier and cheaper in the distribution process, compared to other vaccines. In addition, this vaccine has been authorized for use of emergency in more than 70 countries.