A large trial conducted by Oxford University has released results showing that their vaccine is up to 90% effective in protecting people against COVID-19 depending on the dosage. While the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine is 95% effective, the Oxford vaccine is cheaper and easier to store, making it more widely available to other parts of the world. The vaccine was produced in roughly 10 months, and the trial was conducted on over 20,000 individuals in the UK and Brazil. When injected with two doses of the vaccine, only 30 cases of COVID-19 were detected while only 101 cases were found in those receiving lesser dosages. Additionally, there was 90% protection in an analysis of around 3,000 people on the trial who were given a half-sized first dose and a full-sized second dose. In all trial volunteers, none of them developed severe-COVID-19 or required hospitalization. The Oxford vaccine works differently than Moderna and Pfizer since it injects a genetically modified common cold virus that contains the blueprint for the spike protein seen in the coronavirus. Once the spike protein blueprint is in the body, the immune system recognizes it and attacks it. As of now, there are over four million doses ready to be distributed in the UK, yet it first needs to be approved by regulators that assess the vaccine’s safety, effectiveness and manufacturing process. If the vaccine is approved, it will be first distributed to nursing home residents and staff, followed by over-80 year olds, and then a distribution through the lower age groups. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the announcement “incredibly exciting news” and added that the majority of UK residents needing a vaccination may get one by Easter 2021.
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