Oxford vaccine’s ‘ strong immune response’ among elderly

UNIVERSITY

THE OXFORD Covid- 19 vaccine shows a “strong immune response” among elderly participants, experts have said.

Information from an earlier stage of the Oxford University and AstraZeneca vaccine candidate trial suggests “similar” immune responses among younger and older adults, scientists said.

Data on the safety and immune responses among those taking part in the phase two vaccine trial has been submitted for peer review in a medical journal.

But the findings have been discussed before publication, prompting more excitement about the vaccine - considered one of the forerunners in the Covid19 vaccine race.

The vaccine is currently in a phase three clinical trial, which means the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine is being tested by thousands of participants across a number of different countries.

It comes as the Health Secretary said that the “bulk” of the rollout of a coronavirus vaccine could occur before next summer.

Matt Hancock said that his “central expectation” is that the majority of the rollout of a vaccine could be under way in the first half of 2021.

In a statement yesterday, Oxford

University said: “Professor ( Andrew) 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.

“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.”