Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective, confirms data published "The Lancet"

Oxford University and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccineis safe and highly effective in preventing coronavirus disease, confirms data published in The Lancet, a medical journal, on December 8.

Detailed results from the AstraZeneca/Oxford trials have been eagerly awaited after some scientists criticised the lack of information in their initial announcement last month.

However, the Lancet study gave a few extra clues about why efficacy was 62 percent for trial participants given two full doses, but 90 percent for a smaller sub-group given a half, then a full dose.

"(This) will require further research as more data becomes available from the trial," the study said.

Less than 6 percent of the UK trial participants were given the lower dose regimen and none of them was aged over 55, meaning more research will be needed to investigate the vaccine's efficacy in older people who are particularly susceptible to COVID-19.