Covishield update: Oxford COVID-19 vaccine likely to be the first shot for Indians, says report
New Delhi: A promising experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford may be the first shot available for Indians by the end of this year if trials succeed, according to report. The Serum Institute of India (SII) is starting the phase 2 clinical trials of the vaccine candidate ChAdOx1, dubbed Covishield in India, at two institutes - KEM and Nair hospitals - in Mumbai this week.
Researchers at the Oxford’s Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group have been at the forefront of scientific endeavour to develop a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2. The ChAdOx1 vaccine, a chimpanzee adenovirus vaccine vector, is considered as one of the most promising candidates against COVID-19.
Preliminary results of the phase 1 and 2 trials showed that the vaccine induces strong immune response with no safety concerns. The researchers observed that the vaccine provoked a T-cell response (within 14 days of vaccination) and an antibody response (within 28 days). The advanced phases of trials - phase 2 and 3 - of the vaccine are being held research facilities across the UK, US, Brazil and South Africa.
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