Sign in Subscribe
COVID-19 vaccines

Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Shows Promise in Late-Stage Trials

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is currently in phase two trials, has demonstrated safety and an immune response similar to younger groups among all adults, including those over 70. This has raised hopes that the vaccine can protect age groups most at risk from COVID-19. The trial results suggest that the vaccine may be effective in building immunity among older adults, who are most vulnerable to severe illness or death from COVID-19.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been found to be safe and stimulate an immune response similar to younger groups among all adults, including those over 70.
  • The phase two trial involved 560 healthy adult volunteers, with nearly 50% (240) over the age of 70.
  • The vaccine produced a similar immune response among people aged over 56 and those aged between 18 and 55.
  • The study has raised hopes that the vaccine can protect age groups most at risk from COVID-19.
  • The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine would not need to be kept at temperatures as low as those made by Pfizer and Moderna.
  • The vaccine is currently in phase three trials, with results expected over the coming weeks.
  • The vaccine has been reported to be 94% effective among adults over 65 in its final efficacy results.
  • The UK has already ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and 5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine.
  • Multiple vaccines are needed to meet the huge demand for protection against COVID-19.
  • The British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has collaborated with the University of Oxford to develop the vaccine.

Statistics:

  • 560 healthy adult volunteers took part in the phase two trials.
  • Nearly 50% (240) of the participants were over the age of 70.
  • The vaccine produced a similar immune response among 18-55 year olds and those over 56 years old.
  • 94% of over-65s could be protected from Covid-19, according to preliminary data from phase three trials.
  • The UK has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and 5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Sources:

  • "Sri Lanka, Nov. 19 -- The coronavirus vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca which is in the stage two trial, has found to be safe and stimulating a similar immune response among all adults similar to the younger groups. The phase one and phase two results suggest that the older age group which is most at risk of death or serious illness from COVID-19 may be able to build immunity. Three vaccines - Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik and Moderna - have already reported good preliminary data from phase three trials, with one suggesting 94% of over-65s could be protected from Covid-19. It comes a day after Pfizer announced its coronavirus vaccine was 94% effective among adults over 65 in its final efficacy results, and that it would be seeking authorisation over the next few days. Around 560 healthy adult volunteers took part in the phase two trials. No adverse health problems were reported during the trials according to reports. The study covering 560 healthy adults, included nearly 50% (240) over the age of 70 and found the vaccine to be safe and produced a similar immune response among people aged over 56-years-old and those aged between 18 and 55. This has raised hopes that it can protect age groups most at risk from the virus. The challenge with developing a Covid vaccine is to trigger the body to fight back against the virus no matter how old someone is since vaccines do not tend to function well in older people's weaker immune systems as much as they do in younger people. Phase three trials of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which will determine the vaccine's efficacy, are still ongoing, with results expected over the coming weeks. Studies suggest the Oxford vaccines would not need to be kept at temperatures as low as those made by Pfizer and Moderna. They said that there is "no competition" between different vaccines because multiple vaccines are needed to be successful in order to meet the huge demand. With people to protect all around the world. The British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, that is working in collaboration with the University of Oxford, said that their experimental vaccine had produced an immune response in older and younger adults. It has been reported that the United Kingdom has already ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and five million of the Moderna vaccine. Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hiru News."

Read more