AstraZeneca says its vaccine is 79% effective and carries no clot risk after US trials

The vaccine against coronavirus covid-19 of AstraZeneca it is 79% effective in preventing disease and does not increase the risk of blood clots, the biotech firm said Monday, following its Phase 3 efficiency trials in the United States.

The vaccine was also 80% effective for those 65 and older, he said. Several countries had suspended the drug to older people due to a lack of data among older participants in previous trials.

Phase 3 trials in U.S of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford involved 32,449 people, of whom two-thirds received a dose, according to a statement from the pharmaceutical company.

About 20% of the participants were 65 or older, and about 60% had health problems with a high risk of severe COVID-19, such as diabetes, obesity or heart disease.

Trials conducted by an independent team found that there is no increased risk of thrombi among the 21,583 participants who received at least one dose, the statement said.

“These data reconfirm previous results seen in trials of AZD1222 in all adult populations, but it is very exciting to see similar efficacy results for the first time in people 65 and older.” Said Ann Falsey, a professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and one of the researchers who conducted the trials.

“This test recognizes the vaccine AstraZeneca against covid-19 as one of the much-needed vaccination options, and offers confidence so that adults of all ages can benefit from protection against the virus”, he added.