Astra Shot shows 82% efficiency with the two-dose interval in the UK

Covid vaccine production and logistics facilities at Serum Institute, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world

Photographer: Dhiraj Singh / Bloomberg

AstraZeneca Plc’s Covid vaccine has shown 82% efficacy with a three-month gap between two shots, according to a new study that strengthens the UK’s controversial decision to adopt an extended dosing interval.

The vaccination can also significantly reduce the transmission of the virus, according to the analysis of the experimental data by the University of Oxford, which developed the survey with the British drug manufacturer. Swabs taken from volunteers in the British arm of the trial showed a 67% decrease in transmission after the first dose, the report shown.

The UK has approved the first and second injections of two-shot vaccines at four- to 12-week intervals in an effort to expand scarce supplies while increasing production. Managers of AstraZeneca have previously said that the longer gap compared to the period of three to four weeks between shots recommended for other vaccines could also increase efficacy.

CovidVaccinations exceed 100 million doses worldwide

The new results are a further boost to the vaccination program in the UK, which raced ahead of countries in the European Union and initially shot 14% of the population. If the Astra vaccine also reduces transmission, it will speed up the process of establishing herd immunity when the virus can no longer invade a population.

According to new data, the efficacy of the vaccine has increased from 55% with a dose interval of less than six weeks to 82%. The analysis also found that the shot shows 76% protection after the first of two injections. The level of immunity was reached from 22 days after the first shot.

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