WHAT IS OXFORD- ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE???

NAME OF THE VACCINE -

The vaccine,  ChAdOxi nCoV-19

(Also called AZD1222), 

Designed by oxford and developed by Astrazeneca,  the Anglo-Swedish pharma major. 

HOW DOES THE OXFORD-ASTRAZENECA VACCINE WORKS?? 

Spike protein allow the virus to penetrate cells and thereafter,  multiply. 

The vaccine developed by oxford -astrazeneca,  tries to build the bodys immunity against this spike protein. 

Th idea is to create antibodies to fight this spiked surface so that the virus does not even have the chance to penetrate the cell. 

Dual immune response -

For one it was found that being injected with the vaccine led to participants building neutralizing antibodies. 

Another potential positive was that it increase the number of T cells - a type of white blood cells that protects the body from pathogens works to actively destroy infected cells. 

DOES IT MEAN,  VACCINE WILL BE READY IN FEW MONTHS?? 

While the results seems promising,  it is important to remember this data is from early stage clinical trials.

This data can not give clarity on question like how long the antibodies will last in the body,  an important factors in determining how effective the vaccine will be.

This will required data from larger,  phase 3 trials.

 

HOW THE VACCINE MADE?? 

The vaccine uses a different virus - in this case,  a weakend version of common  cold virus (adenovirus) that infects chimpanzees - to carry just the code to make the spike protein,  like a tarjon horse.

The adenovirus,  genetically modifies so that it cannot replicate in humans,  will enter the cell and release the code to make only the spike protein.

Side effects -

 

The vaccine showed mild to moderate adverse reaction, including pain, feverish feelings, chills,  muscle aches, headache and malaise.

The effects were reduced using prophylactic paracetamol,  according to study.