Government asks MHRA to evaluate Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

The government has formally requested the Agency to assess the suitability of the vaccine for temporary supply, as soon as the company submits the necessary safety, quality and efficacy data. The UK will be one of first countries in world to receive the vaccine, if authorised.

SPS commentary:

AstraZeneca is expecting to have up to 4 million doses ready for the UK by the end of the year and 40 million by the end of March 2021.

Earlier this week, the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca published their interim efficacy results, which indicated the vaccine was at least 70% effective in protecting individuals from COVID-19. This rose to 90% effective when administered as half a dose, followed by a full dose – rather than 2 full doses. AstraZeneca said it was amending its study in the US following the accidental discovery that the vaccine appeared to perform best when a half dose was given followed by a full one, rather than two full doses.

Department of Health and Social Care

Resource links:

MHRA statement confirming letter received

BBC report on “dose error”