AstraZeneca says advanced trial shows its COVID-19 vaccine is 79% effective

London — AstraZeneca said Monday its COVID-19 vaccine provided strong protection against disease and complete protection against hospitalization and death across all age groups in a late-stage U.S. study. 

The British drug manufacturer also said its experts didn't identify any safety concerns related to the vaccine, including any surrounding a rare blood clot that was identified in Europe. Scientists found no increased risk of clots among the more than 20,000 people who got at least one dose of the AstraZeneca shot. AstraZeneca said the advanced trial data on the vaccine it developed along with Oxford University shows it is 79% effective.