Researchers from Oxford and drugmaker AstraZeneca have published the outcome of their Covid 19 vaccine. The results were positive and carry a good potential however, it is too early to get hopes high, reports suggest.
Countries and drug makers all over the world are taking serious actions to develop a vaccine for coronavirus which was emerged from China months ago and has taken more than 600,000 lives all over the world. Around 160 vaccines have been out of which just 23 are recognized by the World Health Organization as candidates in human trials. Some companies even made it to the headlines with their false vaccines.
Last week Moderna, the first US biotech firm to begin human trials for a Covid-19 vaccine published its results. Reports revealed that the working of the two vaccines is said to be similar. Experts have claimed that at this point, it is difficult to make a proper comparison between the two. However, phase III trials for Moderna will begin from July 27.
Working of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine
The central idea is to create antibodies which will build the body’s immunity against the spike protein (the spikes present on the virus, with which it penetrates the cell, and thereafter, multiply).
Once immunity is built, the antibodies will attack the real virus if it tries to infect the body.
What do the results mean and how significant are they?
The Lancet published the initial results from the phase I/II trials of the vaccine. The results showed promising response as it was not only saved but were also seen building an immune response in the participants.
Despite delivering positive outcomes, it is important to remember this data is from early-stage clinical trials. There are still some underlining questions which remain unanswered like, how long the antibodies will last in the body? This is a significant question as the efficiency of the vaccine will depend on it.
Further, the trials for phase III are underway which will further analyze the vaccine and its efficiency.
