Oxford University's Vaccine Produces Strong Immune Response in Older Adults, Hailed as Potential 'Game Changer'

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at Oxford University have made a significant breakthrough in their Covid-19 vaccine development, with phase two data showing that the vaccine triggers a robust immune response in healthy adults aged 56-69 and people over 70. This is a critical finding, as older adults are at increased risk of severe disease and death from Covid-19. The UK Government has placed orders for 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, enough to vaccinate most of the population if it receives regulatory approval.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Oxford vaccine produces a strong immune response in older adults, with a similar response to that seen in younger volunteers.
  • The vaccine is well-tolerated in older adults, with no significant side effects reported.
  • The UK Government has placed orders for 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, with the aim of vaccinating most of the population if it receives regulatory approval.
  • The vaccine is cheaper to produce than Pfizer's vaccine, with a price of £2.23 per dose in EU countries, compared to £29.47 per dose in the US.
  • The Oxford vaccine uses traditional methods of vaccine production, inserting the spike protein of coronavirus into a common cold virus, whereas Pfizer's vaccine uses messenger RNA to instruct cells to make the spike protein.
  • The Pfizer vaccine requires two jabs, given three weeks apart, and needs to be stored at extremely cold temperatures, making it more complicated to administer.
  • Many experts believe that Oxford is not far behind Pfizer in terms of vaccine development, and may release its findings in the coming weeks.

Statistics:

  • 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine have been ordered by the UK Government.
  • The price of the Oxford vaccine in EU countries is £2.23 per dose.
  • The price of the Pfizer vaccine in the US is £29.47 per dose.
  • The Pfizer vaccine requires storage at temperatures of -80 degrees Celsius.
  • 70-80% of vulnerable adults may be vaccinated by Easter, according to Sir John Bell.

Sources:

  • The Lancet
  • Oxford University
  • BBC News
  • Telegraph UK
  • NHS
  • Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (Barda)
  • Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
  • Francis Crick Institute