Optimising the COVID-19 vaccination programme for maximum short-term impact

 Short statement from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI-UK.GOV)

Summary 

• There has been a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in the UK in December 2020 

• Two vaccines now have MHRA Regulation 174 authorisation (Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca) 

• Rapid delivery of the vaccines is required to protect those most vulnerable 

• Short term vaccine efficacy from the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is calculated at around 90%, short term vaccine efficacy from the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine is calculated at around 70% (efficacy estimates are not directly comparable between the two vaccines)

 • Given the high level of protection afforded by the first dose, models suggest that initially vaccinating a greater number of people with a single dose will prevent more deaths and hospitalisations than vaccinating a smaller number of people with two doses

 • The second dose is still important to provide longer lasting protection and is expected to be as or more effective when delivered at an interval of 12 weeks from the first dose

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