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Image source,UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD / JOHN CAIRNS
The Oxford / AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Cooperative Vaccine is currently in the final testing stage
The new coronavirus disease vaccine developed by the University of Oxford in the UK has shown 70% protection after large-scale trials. But the researchers said that by changing the dose of the vaccine, protection can be increased to 90%.
This is the latest great achievement in the study of a new coronavirus vaccine. Previously, the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna had 95% protection.
But compared to these two vaccines, the vaccine developed by Oxford is cheaper, more convenient to store, and easier to ship to all corners of the world.
If approved by regulatory agencies, Oxford vaccines may play an important role in the global epidemic of the novel coronavirus.
What are the test results?
It typically takes 10 years for a vaccine to be successful, while the University of Oxford vaccine only took about 10 months to develop.
More than 20,000 people participated in the vaccine trial, about half of the participants were in the UK and the rest in Brazil.
The vaccine trial showed two results: Among those who received two doses of the vaccine, there were only 30 confirmed cases, while those who received a placebo injection had 101 confirmed cases.
The researchers said that, on average, the vaccine has a protective effect of 70%, which is higher than the general seasonal cold vaccine.
Those who receive the actual vaccine, even if they are diagnosed, no one is seriously ill with the novel coronavirus disease and no one needs to be hospitalized.
However, an analysis of about 3,000 people showed that if the doses of the two vaccines were slightly modified, the first dose of vaccine was reduced by half and the second dose of the full dose of vaccine, then the protective effect could be increased by 90%.
The analysis also shows that the number of asymptomatic patients who are still infectious has also decreased.
Image source,UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD / JOHN CAIRNS
More than 20,000 people participated in the Oxford vaccine trial
The duration of the three vaccines
The vaccines developed by Pfizer and Modena have a 95% protection rate, while the vaccine developed by Oxford has a protection rate of only 70%. Some people may be disappointed.
However, any vaccine that can achieve more than 50% defense is considered successful, and the protection rate of 70% is better than the general seasonal influenza vaccine.
In any case, the vaccine developed by Oxford is still one of the effective vaccines against the new coronavirus disease, and compared to the Pfizer and Modena vaccine, the Oxford vaccine has other advantages.
The vaccine developed by Oxford is the same as most other disease vaccines and can be stored at refrigerator temperature (2-8 degrees Celsius), which means that the vaccine can be easily administered to all corners of the globe. world.
In contrast, Pfizer vaccines must be stored at -70 ° C. Pfizer has developed vaccine packages containing dry ice, which can be stored at room temperature for 10 days without special freezing treatment, but the vaccine must be combined with another vaccine before the injection. Solution mix type.
Modena vaccine can be stored for 6 months at -20 ° C, up to 30 days in a home refrigerator, and 12 hours at room temperature.
This requirement limits the delivery and distribution of these two vaccines worldwide.
Also, Oxford vaccines have more advantages in terms of price. The price of a vaccine developed by Oxford is only about 3 pounds, which is roughly the same as a cup of coffee, while the price of the Pfizer vaccine is about 15 pounds and the price of the Modena vaccine is about 25 lbs.
Modena Biotechnology, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a commercial company, so their vaccines are also the most expensive. Pfizer has stated that as long as the new corona virus epidemic does not return, it will not make money with the new corona vaccine.
AstraZeneca, Oxford vaccine production partner, said it will not make money from the sale of vaccines, the vaccines produced can be used in any country, so the price is the lowest.
In the UK, the price of vaccines is borne by the government and there is no need to pay for any vaccine in the NHS universal medical system.
When can the vaccine start?
Regarding the Oxford vaccines, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals is preparing to produce 3 billion doses of vaccines for use worldwide, and the British government has ordered 100 million doses of vaccines.
If approved by regulatory agencies, the vaccine can be given as early as the end of the year, but most people won’t get vaccinated until next year.
As for Pfizer vaccines, the British government has reserved 40 million doses, enough for 20 million people, which is equivalent to one third of the British population.
It is estimated that 10 million doses will arrive before the end of the year. People who receive the Pfizer vaccine should receive two injections, 21 days apart.
As for the Modena vaccine, the British government has reserved 5 million doses, which are expected to arrive next spring.
