As per a new research published in the Lancet Journal, the first COVID-19 vaccine to reach phase I clinical trial is safe, well-tolerated, and capable of producing an immune response against the novel coronavirus in humans.
Study conducted on 108 adults
Tested on 108 adults, the vaccine produced neutralizing antibodies, and a response mediated by the immune system’s T-cells against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. However, some scientists, including those from the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology in China said that further research might be required to check if the vaccine protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
One of the authors said: “These results represent an important milestone. The trial demonstrates that a single dose of the new adenovirus type 5 vectored COVID-19 (Ad5-nCoV) vaccine produces virus-specific antibodies and T cells in 14 days.”
The author said that the vaccine has the potential for further investigation. He added:”The challenges in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine are unprecedented, and the ability to trigger these immune responses does not necessarily indicate that the vaccine will protect humans from COVID-19.”
Working of the vaccine
The vaccine reportedly uses a weakened common cold-causing adenovirus, which infects human cells readily, but is incapable of causing disease, to deliver genetic material that codes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the cells.The cells then produce the spike protein, and travel to the lymph nodes where the immune system creates antibodies. It further identifies the spike protein and combats the coronavirus.
The trials were conducted on 108 adults, aged between 18 and 60 years. The volunteers were assigned to receive either a single injection of the new Ad5 vaccine at a low dose, middle dose, or a high dose and were then observed for 28 days.
Source: CNBC TV
