Hopes for COVID-19 vaccine rise after strong trial results in England

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Oxford scientists said they believe they have created a coronavirus vaccine that would provide a “double defense” against the virus.

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The Telegraph newspaper reported the results of the human trials carried out by the scientists.

The results showed that blood samples taken from a group of UK volunteers who had a dose of the vaccine produced both antibodies and “killer T cells”.

Antibodies are said to fade, but T cells can remain in circulation for years.

The document was told that while the results appear promising, they have not been shown to provide lasting immunity against COVID-19.

“When it comes to vaccines, you can’t guarantee things, but you can say, based on science and the way things are going, that I am cautiously optimistic that we can deliver on that projection we made months ago.” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert. “No one guarantees, but I am optimistic that we will have a vaccine, one or more, that we can start distributing to people.”

AstraZeneca, the drug maker, has signed an agreement to produce two billion doses if the trials are successful.

The vaccine may be available in early October if all goes well.

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