AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine Vaxzevria Authorized for Emergency Use in Japan for Individuals Aged 18 and Above

May 23, 2021 /BioonBIOON/ -- Currently, the overseas COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread rapidly. According to Baidu's 《Real-time COVID-19 EpidemicBig DataReport》, as of 02:00 on May 23, 2021, the cumulative global confirmed cases exceeded160 million cases (166.6 million), with over 3.46 million deaths.

Recently,AstraZeneca(AstraZeneca) announced that its COVID-19 vaccineVaxzevria (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant], formerly known as AZD1222)Approved for emergency use in Japan for active immunization of individuals 18 years of age and older to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved Vaxzevria, based on Phase III clinical trials from the clinical trial program led by the University of Oxford in the UK, Brazil, and South Africa, as well as Phase I/II trials conducted in Japan.Clinical TrialThe positive efficacy and safety data obtained.

Japanese pharmaceuticals andMedical DevicesThe Agency (PMDA) recommends that the use of Vaxzevria be limited to adults, and byMethod of Intramuscular InjectionAdminister,Two 0.5 mL doses, administered 4 to 12 weeks apart, with an interval of greater than 8 weeks preferred., to maximize its efficacy.Clinical Trialindicating that the vaccination regimen is well-tolerated and effectively prevents symptomatic COVID-19, with no severe cases or hospitalizations reported 14 days after the second dose.

Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President of BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, said: "We continue to expand global access to the vaccine, and today's approval brings us one step closer to delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Japan who urgently need protection. We are proud to have produced a vaccine for the world that is playing a leading role in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. AstraZeneca and its sub-licensees have now supplied more than 400 million doses to 165 countries worldwide."

In Japan, production of the Vaxzevria vaccine is already underway, with the first batch expected to be available within the next few weeks.

To date, the vaccine has received conditional marketing authorization or emergency use authorization in over 80 countries across six continents, and has been included in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Use Listing, which expedites access to the vaccine in up to 142 countries through the COVAX Facility.

Vaxzevria (ChAdOx1-S [Recombinant], formerly AZD1222) was co-invented by the University of Oxford and its spin-off company, Vaccitech. It utilizes a replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus vector, based on a weakened version of the common cold virus (adenovirus).Vector, the virus causes infection in chimpanzees and contains the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteinGeneticsSubstance. After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, stimulating the immune system to attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

AstraZeneca continues to collaborate with governments worldwide, international organizations, and partners to ensure broad and equitable access to vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, on a not-for-profit basis. (Bioon.com)

Original source: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine Vaxzevria authorised for emergency use in Japan