With the experimental vaccine being developed by Oxford University against the COVID-19 producing an immune response in early-stage clinical trials, it seems that the race to develop a vaccine is finally coming to a close.

The vaccine, called ‘ChAdOx1 nCoV-19’ apparently prompted no side effects and triggers immune responses in COVID-19 patients, preserving hope it could be used by the end of December. 

According to sources familiar with the knowledge of the matter, 1,077 people involved in the clinical trial have produced antibodies and T-cells that can fight COVID-19. 

These findings are hugely promising; however, there is still significant work to be done to conclude the effectiveness of the vaccine for treating COVID-19.

The potential vaccine is a genetically engineered virus that is responsible for causing common cold in chimpanzees. It has been heavily improved and looks similar to coronavirus. Researchers conducted this by transferring the genetic instructions for SARC-COV-2’s spike protein- the vital tool it used to invade human cells, to the vaccine they were developing.

Sources cite that around 70% of people in the clinical trial developed either headache or fever. However, these side effects could be managed with paracetamol. The main purpose of this study is to ensure the safety of the drug. The findings couldn’t determine whether the vaccine can either safeguard people from becoming ill or even lessen COVID-19 symptoms.

Around 10,000 people across the globe will participate in the next stage of clinical trials. The university will also conduct a large clinical trial involving 2,000 people in South Africa, 5,000 in Brazil, and 30,000 in the United States.

The university will also conduct ‘challenge trials in which vaccinated people are intentionally infected with the coronavirus. However, there are certain ethical concerns regarding the same due to lack of treatments.

Source credit - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53469839