Novavax says its COVID-19 vaccine was 89-point-three percent effective in preventing the coronavirus in a large-scale trial conducted in Britain. 

According to foreign media, on Thursday, the U.S. pharmaceutical company revealed the figure in a preliminary analysis following its Phase Three clinical trial in Britain. 

The trial involved the participation of some 15-thousand people aged between 18 and 84. Twenty-seven percent of participants were older than 65. The latest trial is expected to be used when the company applies for use in Britain, the European Union and other countries.

Novavax also said the preliminary analysis suggests the vaccine was 85-point-six percent effective against a variant of COVID-19 that originated from Britain. 

The vaccine appeared to be less effective against the variant found in South Africa. The South Africa Phase Twob clinical trial by the U.S. pharmaceutical firm showed 60 percent efficacy on those who are HIV-negative and
49-point-four percent on those who are HIV-positive. 

The firm underlined that the latest findings are preliminary and it would take two to three months to gain approval from countries for its vaccine.

The South Korean government earlier disclosed that it was in talks with Novavax to secure enough vaccines for 20 million people.