The coronavirus vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford has successfully triggered a strong immune response among young people and adults. AstraZeneca’s announcement has raised hope in countries devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, in India, Bharat Biotech and ICMR will enter phase III clinical trials of the indigenous vaccine, Covaxin.
THE OXFORD VACCINE INCREASES HOPES
The AstraZeneca-Oxford coronavirus vaccine, one of the pioneers in the global vaccine race, has produced an immune response in both young and old. The announcement has raised hope as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to damage global economies.
The coronavirus vaccine has also led to lower adverse responses among the elderly, British drug maker AstraZeneca said.
“It is encouraging to see that immunogenicity responses were similar between older and younger adults and that reactogenicity was lower in older adults, where the severity of Covid-19 disease is greatest,” said an AstraZeneca spokesperson.
COVAXIN TO ENTER PHASE III
The third phase of the human trial of the indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, will begin soon at a private hospital in Bhubaneshwar. The search for a suitable vaccine against the coronavirus has almost reached the final stage, said on Sunday Dr. E Venkata Rao, principal investigator of the human trial Covaxin and professor in the department of Community Medicine of the Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital. SUM.
IMS and SUM Hospital are among the 21 medical institutes selected across the country by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) where the third phase of the trial would take place.
The indigenous vaccine, which is being developed by ICMR and Bharat Biotech, has received approval from the Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) to initiate the phase III trial.
UK HOSPITAL TO PREPARE FOR VACCINE ROLLOUT
A major London hospital has been told to be ready to receive the first batches of the coronavirus vaccine being tested by Oxford University and AstraZeneca early next month, according to a report by UK media. Monday.
The newspaper ‘The Sun’ claims that the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) of the country is preparing for an initial launch of the vaccine starting the week that “begins on November 2.”
PFIZER ENROLLS 42,000 VOLUNTEERS
US drug maker Pfizer, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine with German pharmaceutical company BioNTech, has enrolled 42,113 volunteers for phase II and III clinical trials.
Pfizer has said it could apply for U.S. authorization for the coronavirus vaccine it is developing by late November, opening up the possibility that a vaccine will be available in the United States by the end of the year.
(With input from Reuters, PTI)
