Study showing Oxford vaccine slows virus spread superb, Covid-19

Results that show the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine may reduce the spread of coronavirus have been hailed as "absolutely superb" by the health secretary. Matt Hancock said the study shows "vaccines are the way out of this pandemic". It is the first time a vaccine has been shown to reduce transmission of the virus. The UK has given a first Covid jab to 9.6 million people so far. The results of the study, which has not yet been formally published, suggest that the vaccine may have a "substantial" effect on transmission of the virus. It means the jab could have a greater impact on the pandemic, as each person who is vaccinated will indirectly protect other people too.

Mr Hancock called the study "really encouraging" on Twitter, adding that the results were "absolutely superb".

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said this latest analysis showing the vaccine reduces transmission would "help us all get out of this pandemic". The study by the University of Oxford, where the vaccine was developed, measured the impact on transmission by testing for asymptomatic infections, swabbing participants every week in addition to recording when anyone fell ill with Covid-19.As well as showing an effect on transmission, the study found the vaccine offered 76% effective protection from a single dose for three months.With no fall in protection during the three-month period, the researchers said the results supported gaps between first and second doses of between four and 12 weeks.The effectiveness of the vaccine increased with a longer gap of 12 weeks before the booster jab.When the second dose is given, the study found the level of protection from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine rises to 82%.