AstraZeneca vaccine 79% effective at preventing Covid-19, study finds

Some 32,449 people across all age groups took part in the phase three trial in the US, Chile and Peru, with a total of 141 cases of symptomatic Covid-19 reported

An independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) also identified no safety concerns related to the vaccine. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is 79% effective at preventing Covid-19 and offers 100% protection against severe disease, new data from a US-led trial has shown.

The jab, which has been the subject of controversy in Europe over concerns about links to very rare blood clots, is also 100% effective at keeping people out of hospital with severe illness.