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AstraZeneca Plc’s Covid-19 vaccine has shown limited efficacy against the mild disease caused by the variant first identified in South Africa, according to early data from a low-phase study.
The effectiveness against severe cases of Covid-19, hospitalization and death has not yet been determined, “given that the subjects were predominantly healthy young adults,” an AstraZeneca spokesman said in a statement.
None of the study participants died or were hospitalized, according to the Financial Times, which first reported the results of the study. The study, with a relatively small sample of more than 2,000 people, has not yet been evaluated by colleagues and is due to be published on Monday, the newspaper said. Patients in the randomized, double-blind study had a median age of 31 years.
“We believe that our vaccine could protect against severe disease because the antibody-neutralizing activity is equivalent to that of other Covid-19 vaccines that have been shown to be more severe against disease, especially when the dosing interval is optimized at 8-12. weeks, ”said the AstraZeneca spokesman.
Initial data indicate other immune responses, such as T cell responses, may remain intact in the South African version, the spokesman added.
The variant first identified in South Africa appears to be a key threat to the world’s prospects for ending the pandemic as countries launch initial doses of the vaccine. Although vaccine manufacturers have said their shots seem to maintain effectiveness compared to the UK variants that pharmaceutical companies are struggling with develop booster photos against new variants as the virus evolves.
Oxford University and AstraZeneca have begun adapting their vaccine against this variant, the spokesman said. If necessary, they will advance through clinical development so that they are ready for autumn delivery.
Earlier this week, Astra’s executive vice president for biopharmaceutical research lowered expectations about how the vaccine would work against the variant.
“We will not be surprised to see reduced effectiveness,” said Mene Pangalos. “Activity is expected to be reduced.”
(Updates with statement from AstraZeneca starting with the second paragraph.)