(Newser)
– The head of drug manufacturer AstraZeneca, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine that is expected to be approved by British authorities this week, said on Sunday that researchers believe the shot will be effective against a new variant of the virus that causes a rapid rise in infections in Britain. Partial results suggest that AstraZeneca’s shot is about 70% effective in preventing coronary heart disease, compared to the 95% effectiveness reported by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, according to AP. But chief executive Pascal Soriot expressed confidence in London Sunday Times. “We think we’ve figured out the winning formula and how to get an effectiveness that, after two doses, is there with everyone else,” Soriot said. “I can’t tell you more because we’ll post at some point.”
Asked about the effectiveness of the vaccine against the new variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in the UK, Soriot said: “So far, we believe the vaccine should be effective. But we can’t be sure, so we’ll try it.” . BioNTech has expressed similar confidence in the vaccine it developed with Pfizer. AstraZeneca developed its vaccine, the phase 3 clinical trials of which are now being reviewed by British regulators. Oxford University. The director general said in the interview that it provided “100% protection” against serious cases of COVID-19, those that require hospitalization, according to the Time of Israel. The British government has ordered 100 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine; 40 million of them are on track to be delivered by the end of March. (The company’s vaccine has been in doubt).