Some Good News :)
- fionacsweet
- Jul 20, 2020
- 2 min read
Scientists at Oxford University in London say that their experimental coronavirus vaccine has been shown in an early trial to prompt a protective immune response in hundreds of people who got the shot. British researchers first began testing this vaccine in April among 1000 people, half of whom got the experimental vaccine while the other half received a meningitis vaccine. This early trial was informative in that it evaluated the safety of the vaccine, but it was too early to tell if the vaccine actually protects from COVID-19.
In research published today, scientists stated that they found their experimental vaccine produced a dual immune response in people aged 18 to 55 that lasted for about 2 months after their immunization. According to Dr. Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute at Oxford University, neutralizing antibodies are produced, which are key to preventing infection. The vaccine also causes a reaction in the body's T-cells, which help by destroying cells that have been infected with the virus. This vaccine also led to minor side effects, such as fever, chills, and muscle pain more often than those who received the meningitis vaccine.
Hill also stated that larger trials evaluating the vaccine have involved about 10,000 people in the UK, as well as participants from South Africa and Brazil. These trials are still underway. Another trial is supposed to start in the United States soon with about 30,000 participants.
Scientists will be able to determine the vaccine's effectiveness by how much more transmission there is after its release. If there was enough data to prove the vaccine's efficacy, immunization of high risk groups in Britain could begin in December.
This vaccine uses a harmless virus that has been engineered so it can't spread. Oxford has partnered with drug-maker AstraZeneca to produce the vaccine globally, and the company has committed to producing 2 billion doses.
So there you have it. Some good news. Finally. We are starting to get the upper hand on this virus, and I really hope that this vaccine does prove to be effective in order to save the United States from even more mass destruction. Have a good Monday and watch SGN (Some Good News) on YouTube when you're feeling down.
Yesss!!