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(1/7) Spectacular news from Novavax. The efficacy of their vaccine matches Pfizer & Moderna, but it doesn't have the same ultra-cold storage requirements. 
UK phase 3 trial results:
95.6% original COVID-19
85.6% UK
strain ( #B117)
89.3% efficacy overall
UK phase 3 trial results:
95.6% original COVID-19
85.6% UK
strain ( #B117)89.3% efficacy overall
(2/7) Importantly, the vaccine was tested in a large number of people (>15,000) in the UK, aged 18-84 years.
Almost a third (27%) were aged over 65 years.
Almost a third (27%) were aged over 65 years.
(3/7) The company also announced results of a smaller phase 2 trial of their vaccine in South Africa (>4,400 people).
Over 90% of cases that were detected in the trial were attributable to the South African variant, which did affect the vaccine's efficacy.
Over 90% of cases that were detected in the trial were attributable to the South African variant, which did affect the vaccine's efficacy.
(4/7) Overall, the efficacy of the Novavax vaccine against what was predominantly the South African variant of COVID-19 was 49.4%.
However, 6% of participants had HIV.
When efficacy was examined in the people without HIV, it was 60% against the South African
variant.
However, 6% of participants had HIV.
When efficacy was examined in the people without HIV, it was 60% against the South African
variant.
(5/7) The company now plans to immediately develop a vaccine for the South African variant, either as a third booster dose, or as a combination vaccine that will protect against the different variants.
Testing is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021.
Testing is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021.
(6/7) This is excellent news, which shows that we now have a vaccine which is suitable for use throughout the world.
Unlike the mRNA vaccines, the Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine, which can be stored in a standard refrigerator.
Unlike the mRNA vaccines, the Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine, which can be stored in a standard refrigerator.
(7/7) Full press release here:
https://ir.novavax.com/news-releases/news-release-details/novavax-covid-19-vaccine-demonstrates-893-efficacy-uk-phase-3
https://ir.novavax.com/news-releases/news-release-details/novavax-covid-19-vaccine-demonstrates-893-efficacy-uk-phase-3
