A third dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine can boost immune protection. In new trial, 3rd dose of AZ vaccine nearly seven months after first two shots—participants reported higher antibody levels after the third dose than a month after the second. #COVID19 🧵 nytimes.com/2021/06/28/wor…
2) The finding indicates that the AstraZeneca vaccine could be an option should third shots end up being needed, for example, to extend immunity. To date, the vaccine has been given as two doses, typically between four and 12 weeks apart.
3) The new data, detailed in a preprint manuscript that has not yet been peer reviewed, came from 90 study volunteers in 🇬🇧 who were among the earliest to receive the shots in a clinical trial. This past March, they were given a third dose, roughly 30 weeks after their second.
4) Laboratory analyses showed that the third dose increased levels of antibodies to the virus to a point higher than seen a month after second dose — an encouraging sign that third shot would be likely to bring greater protection if the effectiveness of two doses waned over time.
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