Covid-19: suspension of Oxford vaccine trial after illness

Final clinical trials of corona vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford were moderately halted, after a British participant was suspected of having a negative response to the vaccine.

AstraZeneca said the trial was stopped due to an unexplained illness.

Vaccine testing results are being followed around the world.

The AstraZeneca and Oxford University vaccines are considered a strong candidate among the dozens of types in development globally.

The vaccine is expected to be the first to hit the market, having been successfully tested in phases 1 and 2.

The trial has moved into phase 3 in recent weeks, with an attendance of around 30,000 people in the US, UK, Brazil and South Africa.

Phase 3 vaccine trials generally involve thousands of people and can last several years.

The New York Times reported that a volunteer who took part in the UK trial was diagnosed with transverse spinal myositis, with symptoms of swelling affecting the spinal cord that could be caused by a viral infection. outside.

However, the cause of the disease is currently not confirmed. An independent investigation will now be conducted to find out if this case has anything to do with the patient who received the Covid-19 vaccine.

Wellcome Trust Director Sir Jeremy Farrar, an expert in the field of communicable disease control, says that vaccine testing breaks are normal and it is important that any negative reactions are normal. all should be taken seriously.

“It is essential that all data is shared openly and transparently, because the public must have absolute confidence that the vaccines used must be at a safe, effective and hygienic level. Ultimately, they will help end the pandemic, ”added Sir Jerremy.

UK experts say the pause can be seen as a good thing, because it shows that researchers are prioritizing safety issues.

A person can experience side effects from taking any medication, but they can also get sick for natural reasons.

US President Donald Trump said he wanted the vaccine to be available in the United States before Election Day, Nov. 3, but his comments caused many to worry that politics would prevail over safety. We are rushing to implement the vaccine.

On Tuesday, a group of nine Covid-19 vaccine developers made a historic commitment to the public to adhere to scientific and ethical standards in the vaccine development process.

AstraZeneca is one of nine participating companies that pledged to seek approval from the authorities only after they had tested the vaccine in all three phases of clinical research.

Also participating are pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson, BioNTech, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Merck, Moderna, Sanofi and Novavax.

The companies are committed to “always putting the safety and health of vaccinated people first.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) says nearly 180 vaccines are being developed globally, but none have completed all stages of clinical trials.

The WHO says it predicts that there will be no vaccines that meet the efficacy and safety standards to be approved this year, as it will take time to prove their safety.

The director general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Thomas Cueni, also agreed. The federation represents the companies participating in the above commitment.

However, China and Russia have already started vaccinating some key employees with locally developed vaccines. The WHO still lists all of these vaccines on the list for clinical trials.

Last week, news reports reported that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged states to consider removing some of the requirements for vaccine availability as of November 1, ahead of elections. presidential. 3/11 in the United States.

While President Trump showed signs of a possible vaccine ahead of the election, his rival, Joe Biden of the Democratic Party, doubts that Trump will listen to the scientists and toast. Implement in a transparent way the process of putting the vaccines into use.