Good afternoon,
AstraZeneca is a UK-based company that uses the queen’s English spellings (organisation, leukaemia) and sends out its news releases on London time (2 a.m. Eastern).
I was asleep when the latest release dropped, but by 6 a.m. or so, major news outlets were reporting that the AZ-Oxford vaccine was, on average, 70 percent effective. That’s well below the figures for the Moderna and Pfizer candidates.
AZ pulled out all the stops with its announcement, adding video and photos to releases that usually don’t come with bells and whistles.
The stock market reflected the early disappointment. Shares in the company with non-research operations in Delaware dropped by two percent.
The 70 percent figure was accurate but glossed over one-part of the trial that showed 90 percent effectiveness using one full dose followed by a half dose. If trials show that pattern continuing, the vaccine could be dispensed to a larger number of people.
It is also possible that other vaccine candidates could show similar characteristics. It is unknown why the phenomenon is taking place, although scientists theorize that it could have something to do with a second full dose blunting the response from the first dose.
Here’s another big deal – the AZ-Oxford vaccine can be stored at temperatures that are slightly above freezing (your fridge on the coldest setting). By contrast, special equipment will be required for the Pfizer vaccine, with a regular freezer making the cut for Moderna’s candidate.
The U.S. has $1 billion or more riding on AstraZeneca’s vaccine’s success, with the company planning to roll out 200 million doses for the colonies.
It adds up to exciting news that points to (pardon the cliche) light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel rather than an oncoming train.
Add it to the list of reasons to remain patient and take precautions that include mask-wearing, keeping the invite list low for Thanksgiving, and practicing good hygiene. – Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
