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Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine 70pct effective, trials reveal

LONDON, Nov 23 (KUNA) -- A coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford has been proven between 70-90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infection in its late stages of testing.
The tests covering some 20,000 volunteers in the UK and Brazil suggested 70 percent protection, which could increase to 90 percent if doses are increased.
The volunteers were each given a half-sized first dose and a full-sized second dose, trial's chief investigator, Prof Andrew Pollard said.
The UK government has purchased 100 million doses of the vaccine, which will be produced by AstraZeneca, but requires regulatory approval before being handed out to the public.
This comes after US companies Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna both announced 95 percent effective vaccines amid third stage trials. (end) mrn.sd