A vaccine developed by the University of Oxford has shown to be effective, according to the BBC. The vaccine trial was conducted with over 20 000 volunteers in the UK and Brazil.
The vaccine conferred 70% protection, compared to the 90% and above level from the other two vaccines. However, a small dose followed by a large dose however, conferred 90% protection.
At £3 (R60) a dose, the Oxford vaccine is less costly than the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines which cost £15 (R300) and £25 (R500) respectively. The Oxford vaccine is also easier from a logistical perspective as it can be stored at higher temperatures. In an encouraging sign for controlling the pandemic, it appears that there were fewer asymptomatic infections with the low-dose-then-high-dose vaccine administration.
The UK government has four million doses already prepared, and if the vaccine is authorised, the government will roll out an immunisation program on a vast scale. Care home staff, health care workers and the elderly will receive the vaccinations first. Meanwhile, Oxford’s manufacturing partner AstraZeneca is preparing to produce three billion doses. However, logistical challenges remain.
Prof Peter Horby, from the University of Oxford, said, “This is very welcome news, we can clearly see the end of [the] tunnel now. There were no Covid hospitalisations or deaths in people who got the Oxford vaccine.”
