As several countries grapple with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-recommends-giving-covid-vaccine-at-12-week-interval-361110">vaccine</a> shortages, British researchers said today that they will study immune response to coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and AstraZeneca combining it in a two-shot schedule.

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The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inoculation-may-provide-protection-from-severe-diseases-says-oxfords-vaccine-head-361067">Oxford</a> researchers added that combining the vaccines would help them to identify whether it can be rolled out with greater efficiency. The study will involve doses of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine followed by AstraZeneca with intervals of 4 and 12 weeks. The data is set to be published in June this year with at least 800 participants set to take part who are already being recruited.

The researchers will measure antibody and T-cell responses, including possible side effects. The researchers plan to have over 50 year-olds in greater numbers who are reportedly more susceptible to the virus.

British government's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan van-Tam said: "Given the inevitable challenges of immunising large numbers of the population against COVID-19 and potential global supply constraints, there are definite advantages to having data that could support a more flexible immunisation programme."

"It is also even possible that by combining <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-shows-variant-spreading-in-britain-could-become-resistant-to-vaccines-360831">vaccines</a>, the immune response could be enhanced giving even higher antibody levels that last longer," Tam added.

Britain was the first western nation to kick off the vaccination drive in early December with the European Union starting its drive on December 27. However, there has been a shortage of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-chief-promises-extra-doses-of-astrazeneca-and-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-360683">Pfizer</a> vaccines in Europe in recent weeks leading several nations to temporarily halt operations.

Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe with over 3.8 million COVID-19 cases and 109, 547 fatalities with most of the country in a partial lockdown.

The coronavirus crisis deepened over Christmas in England after the British government announced the arrival of South African variant which it said was 70 per cent more transferable.

As several countries grapple with vaccine shortages, British researchers said today that they will study immune response to coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and AstraZeneca combining it in a two-shot schedule.

As several countries grapple with vaccine shortages, British researchers said today that they will study immune response to coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and AstraZeneca combining it in a two-shot schedule. Watch: The Oxford researchers added that combining the vaccines would help them to identify whether it can be rolled out with greater efficiency. The study will involve doses of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine followed by AstraZeneca with intervals of 4 and 12 weeks. The data is set to be published in June this year with at least 800 participants set to take part who are already being recruited. The researchers will measure antibody and T-cell responses, including possible side effects. The researchers plan to have over 50 year-olds in greater numbers who are reportedly more susceptible to the virus. British government's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan van-Tam said: "Given the inevitable challenges of immunising large numbers of the population against COVID-19 and potential global supply constraints, there are definite advantages to having data that could support a more flexible immunisation programme." "It is also even possible that by combining vaccines, the immune response could be enhanced giving even higher antibody levels that last longer," Tam added. Britain was the first western nation to kick off the vaccination drive in early December with the European Union starting its drive on December 27. However, there has been a shortage of Pfizer vaccines in Europe in recent weeks leading several nations to temporarily halt operations. Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe with over 3.8 million COVID-19 cases and 109, 547 fatalities with most of the country in a partial lockdown. The coronavirus crisis deepened over Christmas in England after the British government announced the arrival of South African variant which it said was 70 per cent more transferable.

Oxford researchers to combine Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccines in two-short doses to test efficacy

Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, on Tuesday denied allegations that a COVID-19 trial volunteer suffered serious side effects from a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-europe-before-the-end-of-2020-pfizer-biontech-files-for-eu-approval-of-coronavirus-vaccine-346707">vaccine</a> developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, saying that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic.

"We would want to assure everyone that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-predicts-availability-of-covid-19-vaccines-before-christmas-346646">vaccine</a> won't be released for mass use unless it is proven immunogenic, and safe," it said in a blog.

Last week, a volunteer in Chennai claimed to have suffered serious neurological and psychological symptoms after taking the experimental shot and has sued the company along with others and a sought compensation of Rs 5 crore.

"The incident with the Chennai volunteer though highly unfortunate was in no way induced by the vaccine and Serum Institute of India is sympathetic with the volunteer's medical condition," the Pune-based institute said.

Serum is conducting trials of AstraZeneca's vaccine in India as part of a manufacturing agreement. 
"Taking into consideration the complexities and existing misnomers about vaccination and immunisation; the legal notice was sent (to the volunteer) therefore to safeguard the reputation of the company which is being unfairly maligned," Serum said.

It said all the requisite regulatory and ethical processes and guidelines were followed diligently and strictly.

"The concerned authorities were informed and the principal investigator, DSMB and the Ethics Committee independently cleared and reckoned it as a non-related issue to the vaccine trial. 
"Post which, we submitted all the reports and data related to the incident to the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India). It is only after we cleared all the required processes that we continued with the trials," it added.

In response to claims made by the volunteer, Serum had on Sunday stated that the allegations were "malicious and misconceived".

Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, on Tuesday denied allegations that a COVID-19 trial volunteer suffered serious side effects from a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, saying that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic.

Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, on Tuesday denied allegations that a COVID-19 trial volunteer suffered serious side effects from a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, saying that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic. "We would want to assure everyone that the vaccine won't be released for mass use unless it is proven immunogenic, and safe," it said in a blog. Last week, a volunteer in Chennai claimed to have suffered serious neurological and psychological symptoms after taking the experimental shot and has sued the company along with others and a sought compensation of Rs 5 crore. "The incident with the Chennai volunteer though highly unfortunate was in no way induced by the vaccine and Serum Institute of India is sympathetic with the volunteer's medical condition," the Pune-based institute said. Serum is conducting trials of AstraZeneca's vaccine in India as part of a manufacturing agreement. "Taking into consideration the complexities and existing misnomers about vaccination and immunisation; the legal notice was sent (to the volunteer) therefore to safeguard the reputation of the company which is being unfairly maligned," Serum said. It said all the requisite regulatory and ethical processes and guidelines were followed diligently and strictly. "The concerned authorities were informed and the principal investigator, DSMB and the Ethics Committee independently cleared and reckoned it as a non-related issue to the vaccine trial. "Post which, we submitted all the reports and data related to the incident to the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India). It is only after we cleared all the required processes that we continued with the trials," it added. In response to claims made by the volunteer, Serum had on Sunday stated that the allegations were "malicious and misconceived".

AstraZeneca vaccine safe and immunogenic: Serum Institute of India

After acknowledging a key mistake in its vaccine dosage, AstraZeneca said that "additional study" was to validate the efficacy of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-vaccine-could-arrive-before-christmas-german-chancellor-merkel-to-parliament-345552">vaccine</a>.

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The British drugmaker had earlier said that average efficacy of the vaccine was 70 per cent. AstraZeneca has developed the vaccine in collaboration with Oxford University with several countries announcing their intention to buy the vaccine.

Meanwhile, US pharma giant Pfizer said it had begun the process of getting its new COVID-19 vaccine approved in Brazil.

"This is an important step so that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/foreign-secretary-harsh-shringla-assures-nepal-on-vaccine-both-agree-to-advance-cooperation-345617">vaccine</a> can be available in Brazil," Pfizer said in a statement as the company representatives met Brazil's National Health Oversight Agency (ANVISA) to begin the process of presenting the results.

Brazil is the worst-hit nations with the virus after the United States with over 6.1 million cases and over 170,760 deaths.

Brazil's health ministry had earlier agreed to buy 100 million doses of vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

Mexico and Argentina had also concluded an agreement with AstraZeneca to produce the vaccine with Latin America battling the pandemic on a large scale. Mexico has registered nearly 102,000 coronavirus deaths which is the fourth highest in the world.

AstraZeneca's two-dose vaccine had given complicated results with the drug working 70 per cent of the time. During early trials, some volunteers had initially received half-dose in error which Oxford said was due to change "in the manufacturing process".&nbsp;

Amid the race for the vaccine, World Health Organization (WHO) chief &nbsp;Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that since "initial supply of COVID-19 vaccines will be limited, so health workers, older people and other at-risk populations will be prioritised".

"The urgency with which vaccines have been developed must be matched by the same urgency to distribute them fairly," the WHO chief said.

After acknowledging a key mistake in its vaccine dosage, AstraZeneca said that "additional study" was to validate the efficacy of the vaccine. Watch: The British drugmaker had earlier said that average efficacy of the vaccine was 70 per cent.

After acknowledging a key mistake in its vaccine dosage, AstraZeneca said that "additional study" was to validate the efficacy of the vaccine. Watch: The British drugmaker had earlier said that average efficacy of the vaccine was 70 per cent. AstraZeneca has developed the vaccine in collaboration with Oxford University with several countries announcing their intention to buy the vaccine. Meanwhile, US pharma giant Pfizer said it had begun the process of getting its new COVID-19 vaccine approved in Brazil. "This is an important step so that the vaccine can be available in Brazil," Pfizer said in a statement as the company representatives met Brazil's National Health Oversight Agency (ANVISA) to begin the process of presenting the results. Brazil is the worst-hit nations with the virus after the United States with over 6.1 million cases and over 170,760 deaths. Brazil's health ministry had earlier agreed to buy 100 million doses of vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Mexico and Argentina had also concluded an agreement with AstraZeneca to produce the vaccine with Latin America battling the pandemic on a large scale. Mexico has registered nearly 102,000 coronavirus deaths which is the fourth highest in the world. AstraZeneca's two-dose vaccine had given complicated results with the drug working 70 per cent of the time. During early trials, some volunteers had initially received half-dose in error which Oxford said was due to change "in the manufacturing process". Amid the race for the vaccine, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that since "initial supply of COVID-19 vaccines will be limited, so health workers, older people and other at-risk populations will be prioritised". "The urgency with which vaccines have been developed must be matched by the same urgency to distribute them fairly," the WHO chief said.

AstraZeneca says COVID-19 vaccine need 'additional study'

There are more than 150 vaccine candidates around the world right now and many of them will never make it out of the laboratory but the leading candidates are defying medical norms and&nbsp;promising a safe and efficient vaccine by the end of this year.

Here's a round-up of the leading vaccine candidates and how they are faring in clinical trials.

The leading the COVID-19 vaccine race is AstraZeneca - a British-Swedish multinational but last week&nbsp;the company hit a major roablock. Its trials were halted after a British trial volunteer developed serious side-effects. The company called it a "routine" pause after a sweeping review, the UK trials have resumed but authorities in the US and India are yet to give the go-ahead.

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Pfizer and Biontech are expanding their stage 3 clinical trials that is if the US food and drug administration(FDA) approves. The companies are on track to meet their initial target of 30,000 volunteers by next week.&nbsp;Late-stage trial results are expected by October but it could take months before the vaccine is declared safe.

US-based Moderna therapeutics is all set to begin it's phase 3 trials. The company is in talks with multiple countries to meet its target of 30,000 volunteers,&nbsp;expect a full scale roll-out by the end of 2020.&nbsp;The target is to produce 1 billion doses per year from 2021.

Russia's Sputnik V is the only vaccine in civil circulation. Two hundred and fifty&nbsp;Moscow residents got it last week and 75 per cent of them are yet to display symptoms with small consignments of Sputnik V being shipped across the country but safety concerns remain as a group of eminent scientists recently raised doubts about the accuracy of Russia's clinical trials.

There are more than 150 vaccine candidates around the world right now and many of them will never make it out of the laboratory but the leading candidates are defying medical norms and promising a safe and efficient vaccine by the end of this year.

There are more than 150 vaccine candidates around the world right now and many of them will never make it out of the laboratory but the leading candidates are defying medical norms and promising a safe and efficient vaccine by the end of this year. Here's a round-up of the leading vaccine candidates and how they are faring in clinical trials. The leading the COVID-19 vaccine race is AstraZeneca - a British-Swedish multinational but last week the company hit a major roablock. Its trials were halted after a British trial volunteer developed serious side-effects. The company called it a "routine" pause after a sweeping review, the UK trials have resumed but authorities in the US and India are yet to give the go-ahead. × Pfizer and Biontech are expanding their stage 3 clinical trials that is if the US food and drug administration(FDA) approves. The companies are on track to meet their initial target of 30,000 volunteers by next week. Late-stage trial results are expected by October but it could take months before the vaccine is declared safe. US-based Moderna therapeutics is all set to begin it's phase 3 trials. The company is in talks with multiple countries to meet its target of 30,000 volunteers, expect a full scale roll-out by the end of 2020. The target is to produce 1 billion doses per year from 2021. Russia's Sputnik V is the only vaccine in civil circulation. Two hundred and fifty Moscow residents got it last week and 75 per cent of them are yet to display symptoms with small consignments of Sputnik V being shipped across the country but safety concerns remain as a group of eminent scientists recently raised doubts about the accuracy of Russia's clinical trials.

Amid race for coronavirus cure, companies promise safe and efficient vaccines

Pharma giant AstraZeneca on Saturday said it had resumed a Covid-19 vaccine trial after getting the all-clear from British regulators, following a pause caused by a UK volunteer falling ill.