Scientists at Oxford University have claimed that their experimental COVID-19 vaccines has shown in an early trial that it can prompt a protective immune response.
In a recent research article published on July 20th 2020 in the journal Lancet the scientists have reported that the vaccine called AZD1222 has been administered to people aged between 15 to 55 and it had provided a dual immune response.
The Oxford vaccine prompted an antibody response within 28 days and a T-cell response within 14 days. Neutralising antibodies, which can disable the virus, were detected in most participants after one shot, and in all of them after two.
“Now what this vaccine does particularly well is trigger both arms of the immune system in addition to neutralizing antibodies which other vaccines do, we also see a very strong T-cell response.”
Professor Adrian Hill, Director of the Jenner Institute, Oxford University.
Phase one and two of the clinical trials have shown positive responses and a phase three trial is underway. Britain has currently secured 100 million doses of this vaccine which is to help in the large numbers that are yet to be tested for protection against the coronavirus.
India has decided to collaborate with Britain in the phase trials by having a separate unit of clinical trials conducted through the Serum Institute. They have also agreed to manufacture 1 billion doses of this vaccine after they get permission to start trials from Britain.
“The trials have shown promising results and we are extremely happy about it. We will be applying for the license trials to the Indian regulator in a week’s time. As soon as they grant us permission, we will begin with the trials for the vaccine in India. In addition, we will soon start manufacturing the vaccine in large volumes.”
Adar Poonawalla, chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India.
Although the phases do show positive responses, the concern for how well will it respond when the injected person when they come in contact with the virus as well as greater access for the vaccine still remain.