아스트라제네카•옥스퍼드 "코로나19 백신, 평균 70% 예방효과"... 90% 까지<br /><br />British drugmaker AstraZeneca says its COVID-19 vaccine, developed with Oxford University, appears to be up to 90-percent effective, based on a late-stage trial.<br />They're the third major drug company to announce late-stage results for a vaccine after Pfizer and Moderna.<br />Lee Seung-jae has more on the latest developments.<br />AstraZeneca announced Monday that its interim analysis of its clinical trials showed its COVID-19 vaccine has an average success rate of 70-percent in protecting against the virus.<br />However,... a different dosage resulted in a higher effectiveness,... reaching up to 90-percent.<br />Trial participants who received a half dose followed by a full dose at least one month apart,... showed an effectiveness of 90-percent.<br />Another trial showed 62-percent efficacy when given two full doses at least a month apart.<br />Combining the two trials,... the average success rate was 70-percent.<br />In addition, no hospitalizations or severe illnesses were reported among the trial participants.<br />AstraZeneca's vaccine,... developed with Oxford University, is quickly becoming the preferred choice,... due to its affordable price and easier distribution process.<br />While each dose is expected to cost around four U.S. dollars,... the vaccine will also be available on a non-profit basis to low and middle income countries.<br />The distribution process will be much simpler,... as the vaccine can be kept in a conventional fridge used to store vaccines around the world.<br />It also has a shelf life of up to six months.<br />It's welcome news for South Korea,... as SK Bioscience has an agreement with AstraZeneca to supply the vaccines to people in South Korea.<br />The WHO also welcomed the news.<br />The UN health agency's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan noted how the latest vaccine is both affordable and easy to store,... which will be "good for countries and people everywhere."<br />The final analysis is expected next month.<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.<br /><br />
