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Two weeks after the volunteers were given a second dose, more than 99 percent of them had neutralizing antibody responses regardless of age.
The Oxford vaccine has shown similar immune responses in all three age groups: 18-55, 56-69, and 70 and over.
New data from the University of Oxford show that its ChAdOx1 nCov-2019 vaccine produces a strong immune response in older adults, ages 56 to 69 and older than 70 years. This is an important milestone as this group is considered “high risk” as they are the most vulnerable to the virus, which is often fatal. Given that the vaccine shows promise in producing immunity in people in this age group, it could be a potentially life-saving tool in the pandemic.
Dr Maheshi Ramasamy, an Oxford Vaccine Group researcher and consultant physician, said in a statement, “Older adults are a priority group for COVID-19
vaccination because they have a higher risk of severe disease, but we know they tend to have poorer vaccine responses. “
According to the researchers, during Phase 2 trials, the vaccine showed similar immune responses in all three age groups: 18-55, 56-69, and 70 years or older. These results are also consistent with Phase I data showing immunity in adults ages 18 to 55 years.
Ramasamy said The Guardian that the “robust antibody and T cell responses” they saw in the older group were encouraging.
“We were pleased to see that our vaccine was not only well tolerated in older adults; it also stimulated immune responses similar to those seen in younger volunteers. The next step will be to see if this translates into protection against the disease itself,” he added. added.
According to a press release on the first results, the vaccine was tested in 560 adults who received two doses of the vaccine or a placebo vaccine. They also did not have any serious vaccine-related adverse health events in the volunteers. Of the 560 volunteers, 240 of them were over 70 years old.
According to a report by BBCTwo weeks after the volunteers were given a second dose, more than 99 percent of them had neutralizing antibody responses regardless of age.
Lead study author Andrew Pollard of the University of Oxford also said The Guardian, “Immune responses to vaccines often decline in older adults because the immune system gradually deteriorates with age, which also leaves older adults more susceptible to infections. As a result, it is crucial that COVID-19 Vaccines are tested in this group which is also a priority group for immunization ”.
The study also found that the vaccine was less likely to cause local reactions at the injection site and symptoms on the day of vaccination in older adults than in the younger group.
These new data come from Phase 2 of the study and have been published in The lancet diary.
Phase 3 trials of the vaccine are underway and the first efficacy readings could come out in the coming weeks.
