AstraZeneca has said its vaccine for the novel coronavirus could be around 90 per cent effective without any serious side effects, Reuters reported. The firm is the latest drugmaker to unveil positive interim data in a scientific race to curb a global pandemic.

The vaccine developed by Oxford University was 90pc effective in preventing Covid-19 when it was administered as a half dose followed by a full dose at least one month apart, according to data from the late-stage trials in Britain and Brazil.