Oxford COVID-19 vaccine shows strong immune response in all adult groups: University

Oxford University on Tuesday said that its vaccine against COVID-19, which is a frontrunner in the race for vaccines for the novel coronavirus has been found to produce a strong immune response in all adult groups, as per a PTI report. 

The comment was made in reference to the ongoing clinical trials of the vaccine along with British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

Professor Andrew Pollard of the university had shared the promising results of the early trials at a research conference recently.

The ChAdOx1 nCov-2019 vaccine, called AZD1222 by AstraZeneca, which is currently under trial across the world has had promising results raising hopes for a roll-out within months.

The latest findings of the clinical trials will be submitted for a peer-reviewed journal which will then be considered for publication in the upcoming weeks.

“Professor Pollard discussed the early findings of the Phase II safety and immunogenicity trial of the ChAdOx1 nCov-2019 Oxford coronavirus vaccine at a research conference,” an Oxford University statement said.

The University stated, “These early results covering trial volunteers from the UK in the 56-69 and 70+ age groups have been submitted to a peer-review journal, and we hope to see their publication in the coming weeks.

“Our ongoing trials will provide further data, but this marks a key milestone and reassures us that the vaccine is safe for use and induces strong immune responses in both parts of the immune system in all adult groups,” it added.

British Pharma giant AstraZeneca also stated the initial results had further highlighted that its experimental vaccine was safe.

“The results further build the body of evidence for the safety and immunogenicity of AZD1222,” a company spokesperson said.

“We anticipate efficacy read-outs from phase 2/3 trials between now and the end of the year, and if approved within countries, doses of the potential vaccine could be available for use before the end of the year,” the spokesperson said.

“We anticipate efficacy read-outs from phase 2/3 trials between now and the end of the year, and if approved within countries, doses of the potential vaccine could be available for use before the end of the year,” the spokesperson said.