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There will be huge relief that the Oxford vaccine prevents nine聽out of 10 COVID cases - and may even reduce transmission of the virus.

With 100 million doses pre-ordered by the government there was always a lot riding on its success.

The reduction in asymptomatic infections is significant. If the vaccine stops the virus, as well as the disease, it means it has a better chance of ending the pandemic in the UK.

Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world

It's the first time that has been shown for any of the vaccines reporting late-stage clinical data.

At first reading the 90% figure on effectiveness may seem disappointing - it's slightly less than the 95% efficacy of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

But this is interim data, not the full analysis, and it matches the reported reduction in disease of the Pfizer jab at the equivalent stage.

For reasons that AstraZeneca and Oxford have yet to explain, the vaccine was more effective when the first dose was given at half strength, followed a few weeks later by a booster.

If two full strength doses were given the vaccine was only 62% effective. That is perplexing.

The company is confident about getting the green light from regulatory authorities. It has now started mass production in 10 countries with plans for a full-scale global rollout.

The challenge now shifts to the NHS, which faces the prospect of the biggest vaccination campaign in UK history.