The Oxford/Astra Zeneca Covid vaccine has proved to be slightly more effective than the Pfizer jab at cutting hospital cases among over-70s.
Both vaccines are said to be 90% effective at keeping those infected out of hospital after just one dose, new findings reportedly relaid to the government say.
The UK has forged ahead of European neighbours with its speedy vaccine rollout, with all adults set to have one dose by July 31.
Latest data shows that nearly 20million people in the UK have now had their first jab.
France and Germany initially refused to allow the Oxford jab to be given to over-65s amid concerns over trial data, but now appear set for a U-turn.
And real-world findings from the UK rollout, reported by the Mail on Sunday, provide a snapshot into why.
The one-dose vaccination figures were calculated by comparing Covid hospitalisation rates in those who have received their first dose with those of a similar age who haven’t.
Deaths among the over-75s have dropped by 40 per cent, while the number of over-85s being admitted to intensive care has
dropped close to zero.
The study results from the NHS rollout in the UK show that one dose of the Oxford jab is actually slightly better at stopping people getting so sick they need to go to hospital, according to the Mail.
The UK staked its vaccine plan on one dose being effective, after deciding to leave a 12-week gap between doses.
The results of the study are also a vindication of the UK approving the Oxford jab for use in older people, with it actually proving slightly more effective among over-70s than the Pfizer one.
Matt Hancock spoke last week about vaccines breaking the chain between higher infection rates leading to higher deaths from Covid, and the study reaffirms that hope.
Last week, Edinburgh University researchers found that by four weeks the Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines cut the risk of hospitalisation from Covid19 by up to 85 per cent and 94 per
cent, respectively.
The Government laid out its plans for phase two of the roll-out.
People aged 40 to 49 are next in line after advisers concluded that inoculating in order of age remained the quickest way to cut deaths.
They will be followed by people in their 30s, and then finally those aged over 18.
However, there was no hoped for priority for teachers and the police due to fears it could slow progress, despite schools set to reopen on March 8.
The decision prompted anger from teaching unions and police figures, who branded it a "damaging betrayal".
