The Chinese Convidecia vaccine is 91.7% effective against severe cases of COVID-19

A dose of the Chinese vaccine Convidecia (Ad5-nCoV) has shown 57.5% effectiveness against the symptomatic disease caused by COVID-19 and 91.7% against severe disease, according to a clinical study by phase 3 published today in the journal “The Lancet”.

The analysis was carried out from samples collected until January 15, 2021, so it does not evaluate the immune response against new variants of the COVID-19 like the delta and the omicron, said “The Lancet” in a statement.

28 days after inoculation of the vaccine, no serious adverse effects related to the preparation or deaths were observed among the trial participants.

Scientists have considered “severe disease” any of the following symptoms: “severe systemic disease, respiratory failure, evidence of ‘shock’, significant acute liver or kidney dysfunction, or admission to the intensive care unit.”

A group of 36,727 people randomly received the vaccine developed by the firm CanSino Biologics and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, or were injected with a placebo, in 66 study centers in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Pakistan and Russia.

As the phase 1 and 2 studies showed, the vaccine was “well tolerated” by patients and produced “high levels” of antibodies.

”Our study suggests that a dose of Ad5-nCoV it is highly effective against severe disease and will potentially help ease the tremendous pressure that COVID-19 has put on healthcare systems around the world, ”said lead study leader Scott Halpering of the Canadian University of Dalhousie.

The researchers emphasize at the same time that “More research is needed to determine the effectiveness and durability of Ad5-nCoV over a longer period of time, as well as its effectiveness against worrisome variants, including omicron”.

Convidecia has been approved for emergency use in ten countries, including Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Pakistan, while regulatory analysis is underway in Russia, notes “The Lancet.”