Abstract
Two new COVID-19 vaccines may soon be on the market, as vaccine producers Novavax and Janssen both reported positive Phase III results in late January.
Novavax reported Phase III results from its U.K. trial, with more than 15,000 participants between 18-84 years (27% over 65 years). The protein subunit vaccine is given in two doses and can be kept in a fridge at 2-8°C.
Overall, 56 cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the placebo versus six in the vaccine group with an overall efficacy for preventing infection of 89.3% -- 95.6% and 85.6% for the original and recent U.K. variant strains, respectively. In a smaller trial in South Africa, it had 60% efficacy at preventing mild-severe disease in those without HIV.
J&J subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals also released Phase III results for its single dose recombinant, non-replicating adenoviral vector vaccine, which can also be kept in a fridge. The trial of 44,325 participants took place in Latin America, the U.K., South Africa, and the U.S. The vaccine was 66% effective at preventing moderate-severe COVID-19 at 28 days after vaccination including all countries and variants, but 85% effective at preventing severe or critical disease.