More exciting vaccine news from Oxford/AstraZeneca. These would normally be considered very good results. Would be cautious about early comparisons to mRNA, given that we haven’t seen full datasets and have limited information on durability, transmission, etc. Thread. 1/ https://twitter.com/HelenBranswell/status/1330854581711097857

We now have efficacy in a second platform, which bodes well for other vaccine programs. And we’re accumulating a huge safety database on spike protein-targeting vaccines, which is good news for everyone. 2/

This is the first Phase 3 trial to monitor for asymptomatic infections on an ongoing basis, with a reported benefit. If confirmed, this should translate to reduced community transmission and greater indirect protection. 3/ https://twitter.com/nataliexdean/status/1328360479526432769?s=20

*Many* positives for global access: pricing commitments from AstraZeneca, vaccine licensed to multiple global partners, volume commitment to CEPI/COVAX, stable at normal vaccine refrigeration temperatures. 4/

@cepivaccines @gavi @JeremyFarrar https://cepi.net/news_cepi/cepi-welcomes-university-of-oxford-astrazeneca-encouraging-interim-covid-19-vaccine-efficacy-data/

Success in more vaccine programs means more suppliers and vaccine doses for the world, which further supports timely equitable access to vaccines through COVAX. 5/

@cepivaccines @gaviseth https://www.gavi.org/covax-facility 

Yes there are many unknowns: impact of dosage on efficacy, performance in older adults, durability of protection, whether re-boosting possible with this vaccine, timelines for manufacturing, etc.

But all-in-all another win in this historic year in vaccine development. 6/