Topline
The Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University works well as a third booster shot and elicits an immune response capable “against any variant,” the Financial Times reported Wednesday, allaying fears that repeated use would render it ineffective to use against new variants of the virus.
AstraZeneca's covid vaccine reportedly works well as a third booster shot.
gettyKey Facts
A third dose of the AstraZeneca shot boosted antibodies against the coronavirus’ spike protein, the part of the virus many vaccines on the market use to train the immune system, according to an unpublished Oxford University study seen by the FT.
The FT reported that while the immune systems of trial participants did react to the adenovirus vector used to deliver the crucial protein—something that could possibly render the vaccine ineffective—these reactions paled in comparison to its significant response to the virus spike protein, which is needed to induce immunity.
One person familiar with the trial told the FT the results are “unbelievable” and a clear counter to “these arguments that you can’t use adenoviruses more than once.”
Scientists had previously warned that many key vaccines used around the world—including many developed in China, Russia’s Sputnik vaccines, and those from AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson—would be rendered ineffective by repeated use, leaving the world short on supplies for the regular boosters that could be needed to maintain immunity and fight new variants.
AstraZeneca is not alone in testing booster shots, with Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna all preparing for what experts say could be an annual booster shot, which will be needed to protect against new virus variants and to top up immunity that fades over time.
Key Background
AstraZeneca’s vaccine, though plagued with missteps since the company launched the project with Oxford, is far more accessible, affordable and practical for most of the world’s vaccination drives and proven to be safe and effective. News it can be used as a booster will hopefully go some way to alleviating the immense vaccine inequalities in the long run, though this could come at a risk of delaying first and second shots where they are much needed. While a handful of rich countries are turning their attention to vaccinating lower risk groups and trialing booster shots, poorer countries are struggling to vaccinate people at all. WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the inequality—just 0.3% of the world’s vaccine supply goes to low-income countries—as a “moral catastrophe” in mid-May, calling on the wealthy countries hoarding vaccines to donate them to poorer countries before vaccinating children and teens.
What To Watch For
AstraZeneca is not profiting from the vaccine during the pandemic but could benefit from selling a booster after it’s over. It’s unclear how the company intends to do so, especially given the repeated knocks to its reputation over reports of very rare, sometimes fatal blood clotting, though it will likely set out a plan in the near future as its wealthy customers finish primary vaccination drives.
What We Don’t Know
The FT said it is unsure when the team will publish the data. The findings also raise the hopes that other adenovirus vector-using vaccines are also going to be able to be used as boosters.
Further Reading
When Will You Need A Third Covid Vaccine Dose? Here’s What The Experts Say. (Forbes)
Oxford/AstraZeneca booster works well, study finds (FT)
Moderna Prepares Vaccine Booster Shot For South Africa Coronavirus Variant (Forbes)
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The Link LonkMay 19, 2021 at 05:38PM
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AstraZeneca’s Covid Shot Reportedly Works Well As A Booster, Raising Hopes In Battle Against Virus Variants - Forbes
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