CureVac said its vaccine, only 48% effective in late-stage clinical trials, could still pose a "strong public health value."
Two doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine prevent roughly 94% of deaths in older people, according to Public Health England.
The worldwide case count stood at more than 182.4 million on Thursday afternoon, with more than 3.9 million reported deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University's COVID-19 dashboard.