True: A study found that vaccine candidate AZD1222 is safe, well-tolerated, and immunogenic.

By: Srija Banerjee
July 31 2020

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AZD1222, the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca generated an immune response in a study of about 1,000 patients.According to data published by a study in the medical journal The Lancet, the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Oxford University and the drug giant AstraZeneca generated an immune response in a study of roughly 1,000 patients. Although the vaccine caused side effects in about 60% of patients in the form of fever, headaches, muscle aches, and injection site reactions but most side effects were resolved during the course of the study. The trial assessed a single dose of AZD1222 against a comparator meningococcal conjugate vaccine, MenACWY. Ten participants also received two doses of AZD1222 one month apart. The results that were published in The Lancet confirmed that a single dose of AZD1222 led to a four-fold increase in antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein in 95% of participants just a month after injection. Further, in all participants, a T-cell response was induced, peaking by day 14, and maintained two months after injection. The results of this study demonstrate a relatively safe vaccine that engages the immune system to fight the virus. AstraZeneca announced that because of the results, it is possibly likely that in future studies patients will be given two doses of the vaccine. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.