When AstraZeneca confirmed on Tuesday evening that it had temporarily halted trials of its coronavirus vaccine, the news disconcerted millions around the globe counting on a jab as a route back to normal life.

The pharma group’s measured statement sought to dispel any suggestion that the race to develop a vaccine — the candidate it is developing in partnership with Oxford university is considered a frontrunner — had encountered significant problems.

Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca’s chief executive, cast the decision as proof of his company’s adherence to “science, safety and the interests of society”. The pause showed the company would follow those principles, he said, as a suspected serious adverse reaction suffered by a UK trial participant was assessed by a committee of independent experts.