Update on Oxford University Coronavirus Vaccine Program
Sarah Gilbert, professor of virology at Oxford University gave an update in the medical journal The Lancet today. They have started human trials and expect to have vaccinated 500 volunteers by mid-May, will then vaccinate volunteers 55 to 70 years old, then over 70. They expect to have 5,000 volunteers vaccinated in the program, and are cooperating with researchers in other countries to begin parallel programs. They are sharing their data to other virologists.
Gilbert says they can still have manufactured vaccines available by September, but say that is a best case scenario. Grants have already be made to scale up manufacturing capacity. I understand that there are 20 vaccine programs around the globe under way.
Fingers and toes crossed.
Cannot adequately express to you my appreciation for the updates and information you provide. Your ability to wade into the morass, yet retain your sanity is remarkable. Keep up the good work and let us slog on until changes in November!!
1Thanks for this.
2It is great news.
From what I read, they don’t think the warmer weather will have much affect on COVID 19, but there is still a lot that is no known.
Just read the article.
WHO is involved.
Wonder if we will get the benefit of the sharing of info if Trump pulls funding.
Starting with 55 and older volunteers, it pays to be “older” in this instance.
3Diane @ 3, yes, if it works. If it doesn’t, the volunteers will have a tough row to hoe.
I’m just finding it odd they would start testing before they understand why some recovered patients have a second or third episode.
4@ Charles – I’m certainly no scientist but know a few. The difference today is that they are going straight at the RNA sequence, which, as I understand it, is more quantitative, driving more accuracy and confidence. Anecdotal observations are part of the trial. That’s why they’re testing. Also, the mortality of COVID-19 is ten times that of the flu. That’s why they’re moving fast. If asked to volunteer, my answer is yes.
5It’s good that these tests are underway now because respiratory ailments always surge in the fall/winter. Beside a regular flu shot, perhaps we will have a vaccine to take as well!
6At this point, are they testing for anything besides lack of bad reactions?
It’s not like they are going to purposely challenge them with live virus, or something? (I hope.)
7Trump will try to buy it all or steal the people who are developing it. Which reminds me, I wonder how Germany is doing with their research.
Here’s another one I read about the other day.
https://www.drugs.com/news/why-remdesivir-might-good-bet-against-covid-19-89637.html
8From what I have read this “family” of viruses include the cause of the common cold. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/general-information.html
To my knowledge a vaccine for the common cold has not been developed even after years of research.
9So forgive my skepticism that what “science” has failed at for decades will be successful in 6 to 18 months.
“Man hours” of work on vaccine for common cold probably still exceed the amount of work that has been dedicaited to this virus.