HOPEFUL—Oxford vaccine group may have hit a potential jackpot- “scientists racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine believe they've made a breakthrough in early trials of a vaccine that could offer "double protection" against the virus” Meaning? Thread 🧵 news.yahoo.com/hopes-coronavi…
2) Blood samples taken from a group of 500 volunteers in the UK who were given a dose of the vaccine showed BOTH antibodies and T cells responses to the virus.
3) T cells can kill a virus and the cells it has infected, providing an important part of response to viral infections. The discovery is promising because two studies have indicated that antibodies may disappear within weeks/months while T cells may stay in body for much longer.
4) “a combination of T cells and antibodies would "hopefully keep people safe." At least 124 coronavirus vaccines are in development, with at least 10 being tested in people. But scientists don't yet know whether it's possible for any vaccine to give a person long-term immunity.
5) “David Carpenter, the chair of the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, which approved the Oxford trial, told The Telegraph that the team was "absolutely on track" and that the vaccine — if it is found to be effective — could be available as early as 📌September.”
6) Bottomline: this potential “double defense” vaccine with both antibody and T cell response to the coronavirus could be huge. But this is still early findings. Bigger phase 3 trial now already underway in Brazil.
7) The full findings of the first trials are set to be published in The Lancet on Monday.
Matt Hancock, UK health secretary, said that while the "best-case scenario" is a vaccine available this year, it's more likely that one will be ready by next year.
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/1…
Matt Hancock, UK health secretary, said that while the "best-case scenario" is a vaccine available this year, it's more likely that one will be ready by next year.
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/1…
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