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In a first, the University of Oxford has launched a study to assess the safety and immune response of its COVID-19 vaccine in children. The study would test the efficacy of the vaccine it developed in collaboration with AstraZeneca Inc., on children aged 6 to 17 years. As of now, the Oxford shot has been approved in various countries including the UK, Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, and Morocco, among others.
According to Sky News, Oxford researchers will use 300 volunteers to assess whether the coronavirus vaccine will produce a strong immune response in children. Trials are expected to begin later this month at the University of Oxford and its partner sites in London, Southampton and Bristol. For the purposes of the study, the researchers will administer vaccines to 240 children, the remainder receiving a meningitis vaccine.
Professor Andrew Pollard, chief researcher on the Oxford vaccine trial, Speaking to Sky News, pointed out that while young children are less likely to be affected by COVID-19, it was crucial to establish the safety and immune response of the vaccine in children, as some may benefit from the vaccination. Since the initial report, the virus has hammered the UK with an increase in the number of cases of infection to 4,013,799 and 116,287 deaths.
Read: COVID-19 Jab against variant to be prepared by fall, benefits doubled: Oxford-AstraZeneca
Read: Covid-19: WHO supports use of Oxford vaccine ‘even against variants’
WHO backs gunfire from Oxford
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended using the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, even for countries battling newer variants of the coronavirus. The organization added that the vaccine could be used in people over the age of 65. Considered the “vaccine of the world,” the vaccine is inexpensive and can be mass produced and stored in a standard refrigerator.
It comes in response to a report that claimed AstraZeneca vaccines were less effective against the coronavirus mutant first detected in South Africa. The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) found the vaccine to be effective against the South African variant.
Read: Oxford / AstraZeneca Jab shows ‘reduced efficacy against African variant of coronavirus’
Read: Oxford to hold alternate-dose COVID-19 vaccine trial in UK, first of its kind
Image: AP
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