Results from the trial of Cuba anti-COVID-19 vaccine candidate Soberana 02 are out. Its two-dose immunization scheme, after its Phase III trial, has achieved 62 percent efficacy, the manufacturer BioCubaFarma announced Saturday.
Havana, Cuba.- The phase III clinical trial of Soberana 02 divided its 44,010 volunteers into three groups for the study, two experimental and one placebo control.
One group received two doses of the formulation at an interval of zero, 28, and 56 days, while the second group was given the same scheme plus the third booster with Soberana Plus.
Recently, its developers at the Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV) announced that the efficacy results of this anti-COVID-19 vaccine project would soon be available, that is, the first intermediate analysis of this variable.
In recent remarks, the IFV's research director, Dagmar García, explained that the efficacy of a candidate involves demonstrating its effect on symptomatic disease, severe disease, infection, and transmission.
She also recalled that the World Health Organization considers the primary efficacy endpoint point estimate should be at least 50%.
CUBA REPORTS 1436 COVID-19 CASES AND 11 DEATHS
Cuban health authorities announced 1 436 new infections and 11 deaths due to COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.
The National Director of Epidemiology, Dr. Francisco Durán, noted during his daily briefing that with 8 101 positive patients hospitalized, that was the highest of such category for a day.
With the latest update, the Caribbean island now accumulates 167 804 infections and 1151 deaths due to the disease since the beginning of the pandemic.
The territories with the highest number of infections were Havana with 341, Santiago de Cuba 250, and Matanzas 141.
During the daily briefing, Dr. Durán praised the good news of the announcement by BioCubaFarma of a 62 % efficacy of Soberana02 after completion of Phase III trial.
As of June 18, 873 690 Cubans were fully vaccinated and 4,721 599 doses administered. Thus, 39 of every 100 island residents have received at least one dose. (RHC)
