The COVID-19 vaccine candidate from Oxford and AstraZeneca have once again shown positive results from their human trials. As we mentioned before in a previous blog, the vaccine candidate was able to trigger patient’s immune systems antibody production, but the news coming from those working on the vaccine is that they are producing immune T-cells that target the virus.
Adrian Hill, head of Oxford’s Jenner Institute said, “We are seeing very good immune responses, not just on neutralizing antibodies but of T-cells as well. We’re stimulating both arms of the immune system.”
This does not necessarily prove the vaccine will be effective, however it is widely considered to be a very good step in the right direction. Hill says, “It gives higher titers of antibodies, which is important going forward.”
One dose of the Oxford vaccine candidate resulted in a four-fold increase in antibodies to the virus’s spike protein in 95% of participants just one month after the injection, and a T-cell response was every participant who got the vaccine.
This is a developing story so be sure to check back at the ABN Blog for updates.