COVID-19: claim that the Oxford vaccine is capable of activating the immune system

Researchers at Oxford University have managed to develop a vaccine capable of activate the immune system against the coronavirus. After doing its first test on more than 1,000 volunteers, it was determined to be safe, can block the virus and build immune memory.

A medical article published in the magazine The Lancet indicates that the vaccine was able to create neutralizing antibodies necessary to block COVID-19. It also generates cellular immunity, a response necessary to eliminate infected cells from the body.

These preliminary results fill the world community with hope, and now doctors and scientists plan to conduct a larger trial with the participation of thousands of volunteers in the United Kingdom, and then focus on the countries with the highest number of infected people. Brazil and South Africa are the highest priority, once the effectiveness to avoid the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

there is still a long way to go

The BBC, in the United Kingdom, announced that it has contributed more than 93 million euros to work on 100 million doses. However, even if the process is accelerated, much work is still needed to ensure that the vaccine will be able to control the coronavirus pandemic.

Countries like France, Germany, Italy and the United States have already signed agreements to receive hundreds of millions of doses in October. A goal that can be achieved with the help of pharmaceutical AstraZeneca, with which it would begin to produce 2,000 million injectables.

ChAdox1nCovid-19 It is the name given to the vaccine, which acts as a Trojan horse in the body of an individual. Use a primate adenovirus, which is genetically modified to take away its infectious capabilities. Once it enters the human system, it is in charge of releasing cells that cause a change in the genetic material. And the viral protein is immediately produced in response to the immune system.

The injection was tested from April 23 to May 21 in 1077 healthy volunteers, aged between 18 and 55 in the UK. The results yielded a T cell response in 14 days. And at 28 days, most people generated neutralizing antibodies.

"We saw the strongest immune response in the first 10 people who received the vaccine dose. This shows us that this could be a good vaccination technique." Indicated the Principal Investigator of the project, Andrew Pollard.

Scientists are now working to analyze the effectiveness of the vaccine, considering that 1 or 2 doses should be sufficient for any individual. Especially in those who suffer from base diseases or are older than 65 years. In the same way, it should guarantee protection for a long period, preventing the transmission of the coronavirus between people.

For the time being, the Oxford vaccine has focused on being safe, generating an immune response and producing no side effects.