NO CLOTS IN GEELONG FERRET VACCINE TESTS:
Animal tests in Geelong lab showed no clots
NO blood clots or other adverse reactions to the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine were observed in ferrets during preclinical evaluation conducted in Geelong.
Peer-reviewed results from last year’s preclinical study of the University of OxfordAstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have been published in the scientific journal npj Vaccines.
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, conducted the independent preclinical evaluation of the vaccine in an animal model in early 2020, in partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Quality-assured and quality-controlled data was shared last year with CEPI and the University of Oxford to support human clinical trials.
A rare blood clotting syndrome in people has been linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The preclinical study evaluated the efficacy of the vaccine when delivered in one or two doses, through either an intramuscular injection or by nasal drops.
The study took place at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, CSIRO’s highcontainment biosecurity facility in Geelong.
The study found: THE vaccine triggered a strong immune response in ferrets;
A SIGNIFICANT reduction in viral loads in nasal and oral samples from vaccinated ferrets, indicating the vaccine may be helpful in preventing ongoing transmission of the virus; and,
NASAL delivery of the vaccine has the potential to further improve the efficacy of the vaccine.
CSIRO health and biosecurity director Rob Grenfell said scientists at the CSIRO were proud to have been ready to respond quickly when the coronavirus pandemic emerged.
“Now that our preclinical results have been reviewed and published in a scientific journal, as part of the standard peer-review process, we hope this information can support ongoing global research into the virus and vaccine development,” Dr Grenfell said.