A coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford appears safe and triggers an immune response.

Trials involving 1,077 people showed the injection led to them making antibodies and T-cells that can fight coronavirus.

The findings are hugely promising, but it is still too soon to know if this is enough to offer protection and larger trials are under way.

The UK has already ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine.
How does the vaccine work?

The vaccine - called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 - is being developed at unprecedented speed.

It is made from a genetically engineered virus that causes the common cold in chimpanzees.

It has been heavily modified, first so it cannot cause infections in people and also to make it "look" more like coronavirus.

Scientists did this by transferring the genetic instructions for the coronavirus's "spike protein" - the crucial tool it uses to invade our cells - to the vaccine they were developing.

This means the vaccine resembles the coronavirus and the immune system can learn how to attack it.
What are antibodies and T-cells?

Much of the focus on coronavirus so far has been about antibodies, but these are only one part of our immune defence.

Antibodies are small proteins made by the immune system that stick onto the surface of viruses.

Neutralising antibodies can disable the coronavirus.

T-cells, a type of white blood cell, help co-ordinate the immune system and are able to spot which of the body's cells have been infected and destroy them.

Nearly all effective vaccines induce both an antibody and a T-cell response.

Levels of T-cells peaked 14 days after vaccination and antibody levels peaked after 28 days. The study has not run for long enough to understand how long they may last, the study in the Lancet showed.

Prof Andrew Pollard, from the Oxford research group told the BBC: "We're really pleased with the results published today as we're seeing both neutralising antibodies and T-cells.

"They're extremely promising and we believe the type of response that may be associated with protection.

"But the key question everyone wants to know is does the vaccine work, does it offer protection... and we're in a waiting game."

The study showed 90% of people developed neutralising antibodies after one dose. Only ten people were given two doses and all of them produced neutralising antibodies.

"We don't know the level needed for protection, but we can maximise responses with a second dose," Prof Pollard told the BBC.
Is it safe?

Yes, but there are side-effects.

There were no dangerous side-effects from taking the vaccine, however, 70% of people on the trial developed either fever or headache.

The researchers say this could be managed with paracetamol.

Prof Sarah Gilbert, from the University of Oxford, UK, says: "There is still much work to be done before we can confirm if our vaccine will help manage the Covid-19 pandemic, but these early results hold promise."
What are the next steps in the trial?

The results so far are promising, but their main purpose is to ensure the vaccine is safe enough to give to people.

The study cannot show whether the vaccine can either prevent people from becoming ill or even lessen their symptoms of Covid-19.

More than 10,000 people will take part in the next stage of the trials in the UK.

However, the trial has also been expanded to other countries because levels of coronavirus are low in the UK, making it hard to know if the vaccine is effective.

There will be a large trial involving 30,000 people in the US as well 2,000 in South Africa and 5,000 in Brazil.

There are also calls to perform "challenge trials" in which vaccinated people are deliberately infected with coronavirus. However, there are ethical concerns due to a lack of treatments.
When will I get a vaccine?

It is possible a coronavirus vaccine will be proven effective before the end of the year, however, it will not be widely available.

Health and care workers will be prioritised as will people who are deemed at high risk from Covid-19 due to their age or medical conditions.

However, widespread vaccination is likely to be, at the earliest, next year even if everything goes to plan.

Boris Johnson said: "Obviously I'm hopeful, I've got my fingers crossed, but to say I'm 100% confident we'll get a vaccine this year, or indeed next year, is, alas, just an exaggeration.

"We're not there yet."
What progress is being made with other vaccines?

The Oxford vaccine is not the first to reach this stage, with groups in the US and China also publishing similar results.

The US company Moderna was first out of the blocks and its vaccine can produce neutralising antibodies. They are injecting coronavirus RNA (its genetic code), which then starts making viral proteins in order to trigger an immune response.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53469839

Oyinbo leading the way as usual, while clueless black Africa continues to wallow in the stone age.

popsy2:
Great news

We only have over hype universities and professors in Nigeria, they can't do nothing than to rape their students. Always waiting for the whites for every solution.


Hiss...

I just reported this to buhari and guess what? He's in shock.

Thank You Jesus!

No matter what life throws at you, just know you already have what it takes to overcome it in the first place.

Best news so far today

Good news. May we continue to hear such.

University of Oxford, Nigeria

Record breaking, we almost produce ours here, just that we were working on a thing or two

Good news

I love big fat cocks. I mean male chickens

Same milestone Madagascar had passed long ago...

I trust naija, dey go add small water to the vaccine to increase its quantity

Good one.... May coro come to an end in Jesus name. Amen

Corona virus your days are number sooner or later we go enjoy the vision 2020 we all have been waiting for

Hedonisco:
Oyinbo leading the way as usual, while clueless black Africa continues to wallow in the stone age.

... and complain about everything.

ASUU is on strike here

Oh good moves.... Shits ain't funny anymore, this is a very nice and welcome development

Meanwhile, Nigerian government are fighting for 2023 slots

Dickeyrider:
I love big fat cocks. I mean male chickens

Who asked you?

Your profile says you stay in Lagos but Google says your pic is that of a South African lady. You're doing well

Awesome!

Nigeria scientist's which Way with all the professors with 3 Phd frustrating students round the universities, common vaccine to cure anything una never make

Welcome development

Cant wait to get back to our lives