The vaccine that has been developed by oxford university AstraZeneca remains effective against the COVID-19 new variant that has been found in the United Kingdom.

Oxford releases new data on AstraZeneca, protective against new variant

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.

Watch:

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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

Coronavirus vaccines may be able to offer protection against severe diseases, Oxford Vaccine Group's head Andrew Pollard said on Wednesday.

Currently, COVID-19 is evolving with new variants popping across the world, including places like Britain and South Africa. These variants are reportedly more transmissible than the original variant.

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He also said that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine will be effective against new variants while adding that "they are making changes that allow them to avoid human immune responses so that they can still transmit."

"So, that does mean that it's likely over time that the virus will find ways of adapting so that can continue to pass between people," he said in a conversation with BBC.

"But that doesn't mean that we won't still have protection against severe disease... The virus is much more about the virus being able to continue to survive, rather than trying to cause harm to us", Pollard added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-cost-rs200-a-vial-in-india-purchase-order-placed-with-sii-reports-356029" hreflang="en">Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to cost ₹200 a vial in India; purchase order placed with SII: Reports</a>

The low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 is being distributed in the UK. Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old retired maintenance manager, was the first person to receive the jab at Oxford's Churchill Hospital, NHS England said. 
 
Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is being hailed as one of the cheapest and most accessible vaccines as the shots can be stored at fridge temperature, making the transportation and storage easier than the rest.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-administers-first-shot-of-astrazeneca-oxford-vaccine-354357" hreflang="en">UK administers first shot of AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine</a>

Researchers from the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical major AstraZeneca in December said that their vaccine is safe and has an efficacy of 70.4%.

The university said the new study published in the 'Lancet' medical journal is the first peer-reviewed publication of phase 3 data from studies of a vaccine against the coronavirus.

Coronavirus vaccines may be able to offer protection against severe diseases, Oxford Vaccine Group's head Andrew Pollard said on Wednesday. Currently, COVID-19 is evolving with new variants popping across the world, including places like Britain and South Africa.

Coronavirus vaccines may be able to offer protection against severe diseases, Oxford Vaccine Group's head Andrew Pollard said on Wednesday. Currently, COVID-19 is evolving with new variants popping across the world, including places like Britain and South Africa. These variants are reportedly more transmissible than the original variant. He also said that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine will be effective against new variants while adding that "they are making changes that allow them to avoid human immune responses so that they can still transmit." "So, that does mean that it's likely over time that the virus will find ways of adapting so that can continue to pass between people," he said in a conversation with BBC. "But that doesn't mean that we won't still have protection against severe disease... The virus is much more about the virus being able to continue to survive, rather than trying to cause harm to us", Pollard added. Also read: Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to cost ₹200 a vial in India; purchase order placed with SII: Reports The low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 is being distributed in the UK. Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old retired maintenance manager, was the first person to receive the jab at Oxford's Churchill Hospital, NHS England said. Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is being hailed as one of the cheapest and most accessible vaccines as the shots can be stored at fridge temperature, making the transportation and storage easier than the rest. Also read: UK administers first shot of AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine Researchers from the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical major AstraZeneca in December said that their vaccine is safe and has an efficacy of 70.4%. The university said the new study published in the 'Lancet' medical journal is the first peer-reviewed publication of phase 3 data from studies of a vaccine against the coronavirus.

Inoculation may provide protection from severe diseases, says Oxford's vaccine head

Oxford University Press has selected 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) as the Hindi Word of the Year for 2020.&nbsp;

The publisher said the in the early months of the pandemic when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's COVID-19 recovery package, he emphasised the need to become self-reliant as a country, as an economy, as a society and as individuals, in a bid to navigate the perils of the pandemic.&nbsp;

There was a massive increase in the usage of 'aatmanirbharta' following the prime minister's address, highlighting its increased prominence as a phrase and concept in the public lexicon of India, it said.&nbsp;

The Oxford Hindi word of the year is a word or expression that is chosen to reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the passing year, and have lasting potential as a term of cultural significance.&nbsp;

'Aatmanirbharta' implying self-reliance has been named by Oxford Languages as its Hindi word of the year 2020 as it "validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived the perils of a pandemic".&nbsp;

To select the Hindi Word of the Year, earlier this month Oxford University Press sought entries through its Facebook page. The advisory panel of language experts Kritika Agrawal, Poonam Nigam Sahay and Imogen Foxell reviewed the entries and came up with a unanimous decision.&nbsp;

"In an unprecedented year, 'aatmanirbharta' found resonance with a wide cross-section of people as it is seen to be an answer to the revival of a COVID-impacted economy," said Oxford University Press India managing director Sivaramarkrishnan Venkateswaran.&nbsp;

Agrawal said amid a number of interesting and topical entries received, 'aatmanirbharta' stood out because it validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived the perils of a pandemic.&nbsp;

This word "gives a voice to the strength displayed by young and old alike in dealing with extended periods of isolation, lack of familial support, loss of livelihoods and other difficulties through sheer determination and self-reliance", she said.&nbsp;

Previous Hindi words of the year are Aadhar (2017), Nari Shakti (2018) and Samvidhaan (2019).&nbsp;

While the Hindi word of the year has great resonance for the year in which it was chosen, it doesn't mean that the word will automatically go into any Oxford dictionaries.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Oxford University Press has selected 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) as the Hindi Word of the Year for 2020. The publisher said the in the early months of the pandemic when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's COVID-19 recovery package, he emphasised the need to become self-reliant as a country, as an economy, as a society and as individuals, in a bid to navigate the perils of the pandemic.

Oxford University Press has selected 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) as the Hindi Word of the Year for 2020. The publisher said the in the early months of the pandemic when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's COVID-19 recovery package, he emphasised the need to become self-reliant as a country, as an economy, as a society and as individuals, in a bid to navigate the perils of the pandemic. There was a massive increase in the usage of 'aatmanirbharta' following the prime minister's address, highlighting its increased prominence as a phrase and concept in the public lexicon of India, it said. The Oxford Hindi word of the year is a word or expression that is chosen to reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the passing year, and have lasting potential as a term of cultural significance. 'Aatmanirbharta' implying self-reliance has been named by Oxford Languages as its Hindi word of the year 2020 as it "validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived the perils of a pandemic". To select the Hindi Word of the Year, earlier this month Oxford University Press sought entries through its Facebook page. The advisory panel of language experts Kritika Agrawal, Poonam Nigam Sahay and Imogen Foxell reviewed the entries and came up with a unanimous decision. "In an unprecedented year, 'aatmanirbharta' found resonance with a wide cross-section of people as it is seen to be an answer to the revival of a COVID-impacted economy," said Oxford University Press India managing director Sivaramarkrishnan Venkateswaran. Agrawal said amid a number of interesting and topical entries received, 'aatmanirbharta' stood out because it validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived the perils of a pandemic. This word "gives a voice to the strength displayed by young and old alike in dealing with extended periods of isolation, lack of familial support, loss of livelihoods and other difficulties through sheer determination and self-reliance", she said. Previous Hindi words of the year are Aadhar (2017), Nari Shakti (2018) and Samvidhaan (2019). While the Hindi word of the year has great resonance for the year in which it was chosen, it doesn't mean that the word will automatically go into any Oxford dictionaries. (With inputs from agencies)

'Aatmanirbharta', or self-reliance, is Oxford’s Hindi Word of the Year for 2020 

A historic pub in the centre of Oxford that has served students, scholars and literary greats for over 450 years is to shut down, a cultural casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Historic pub in Oxford to close after 450 years due to COVID-19 pandemic

'Moment of pride': India begins coronavirus vaccine drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that the central government will bear the expenses of vaccinating nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers in the first round and suggested that public representatives, a reference to politicians, should not be part of this initial exercise.

Interacting with chief ministers, PM Modi underscored the enormity of what he described as the world's biggest vaccination exercise, which begins from January 16, saying over 30 crore citizens will get the jabs in the next few months in India against only 2.5 crore people who have received them in over 50 countries in around a month so far.

The two already approved made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines are more cost-effective than any other in the world and have been developed as per the country's needs, he said in his remarks in the meeting called to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination rollout.

Besides the two vaccines -- Covishield developed by Oxford and British-Swedish company AstraZeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, four others are being developed, PM Modi said, asserting that India's fight against the pandemic will enter a decisive stage with the vaccination roll-out.

More vaccines may be available when the exercise moves into the second round, he added.

The Prime Minister also sought to dispel concerns expressed by some opposition leaders and experts over the approval given to Covaxin without the availability of efficacy data, asserting that scientists have taken all precautions to provide citizens with effective vaccines.

The Prime Minister said he has been maintaining from the beginning that the scientific community will have the final word on the issue.

India's drug regulator has given approval to Covishield and Covaxin for the emergency use authorisation. It is a matter of pride that both the vaccines are ''made in India'', he said, adding that it can be imagined how much hardship India would have faced if it had to depend on foreign vaccines.

Noting that the first round of vaccination is meant for healthcare and frontline workers, he said, "This is my personal suggestion and no one should take it otherwise. We public representatives are not part of it."

In some countries, including the US and Israel, leading public figures have taken the jabs while top functionaries in a few others have chosen to follow the standard protocol and wait for their turn.

Talking about the COVID-19 situation in India, PM Modi said the country is in a much better place than many others in terms of the pandemic's spread, and added that this is a matter of happiness but should not induce carelessness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that the central government will bear the expenses of vaccinating nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers in the first round and suggested that public representatives, a reference to politicians, should not be part of this initial exercise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that the central government will bear the expenses of vaccinating nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers in the first round and suggested that public representatives, a reference to politicians, should not be part of this initial exercise. Interacting with chief ministers, PM Modi underscored the enormity of what he described as the world's biggest vaccination exercise, which begins from January 16, saying over 30 crore citizens will get the jabs in the next few months in India against only 2.5 crore people who have received them in over 50 countries in around a month so far. The two already approved made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines are more cost-effective than any other in the world and have been developed as per the country's needs, he said in his remarks in the meeting called to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination rollout. Besides the two vaccines -- Covishield developed by Oxford and British-Swedish company AstraZeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, four others are being developed, PM Modi said, asserting that India's fight against the pandemic will enter a decisive stage with the vaccination roll-out. More vaccines may be available when the exercise moves into the second round, he added. The Prime Minister also sought to dispel concerns expressed by some opposition leaders and experts over the approval given to Covaxin without the availability of efficacy data, asserting that scientists have taken all precautions to provide citizens with effective vaccines. The Prime Minister said he has been maintaining from the beginning that the scientific community will have the final word on the issue. India's drug regulator has given approval to Covishield and Covaxin for the emergency use authorisation. It is a matter of pride that both the vaccines are ''made in India'', he said, adding that it can be imagined how much hardship India would have faced if it had to depend on foreign vaccines. Noting that the first round of vaccination is meant for healthcare and frontline workers, he said, "This is my personal suggestion and no one should take it otherwise. We public representatives are not part of it." In some countries, including the US and Israel, leading public figures have taken the jabs while top functionaries in a few others have chosen to follow the standard protocol and wait for their turn. Talking about the COVID-19 situation in India, PM Modi said the country is in a much better place than many others in terms of the pandemic's spread, and added that this is a matter of happiness but should not induce carelessness.

Centre to bear vaccination cost of 3 crore health, frontline workers: PM Modi

As India is setting up to launch one of the biggest vaccination drives of the world from January 16, it has been revealed that the vaccine will be available&nbsp;for&nbsp;₹200 a vial in India.

It has also been reported that the Centre has sent a&nbsp;&nbsp;purchase order with the Serum Institute of India (SII)&nbsp;on Monday, January 11, as reported by Reuters citing CNBC-TV 18 sources.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/myanmar-orders-30-million-coronavirus-vaccines-from-india-355773" hreflang="en">Myanmar orders 30 million coronavirus vaccines from India</a>

The news has come days after the Prime Minister's Office announced the vaccination drive will begin in India from January 16. "On 16th January, India takes a landmark step forward in fighting COVID-19. Starting that day, India’s nation-wide vaccination drive begins. Priority will be given to our brave doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted.

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Speaking at the interaction with CMs on vaccination rollout. <a href="https://t.co/gbWZ4LsQGB">https://t.co/gbWZ4LsQGB</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1348591718388568066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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As the news of the purchase order broke out, Modi held a virtual meeting with the Chief Ministers of the states of India to discuss the readiness for the upcoming&nbsp;on vaccination rollout.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-records-16311-new-coronavirus-cases-161-deaths-in-last-24-hours-355958" hreflang="en">India records 16,311 new coronavirus cases, 161 deaths in last 24 hours</a>

Till now, 89 hospitals in the national capital New Delhi have been chosen for vaccination drive's first phase. Of these 89, 40 are government-run and 49 are private.&nbsp;

The Centre has decided&nbsp;around 5,000 vaccination sites across India.&nbsp;"As per the instruction of the Central government, the Delhi government has prepared these 89 sites which are different hospitals of Delhi,"&nbsp;Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain told a press conference.

"At every centre, there will be 8-9 people who will handle the drive. With this preparation, the Delhi government will start the first phase of vaccination from January 16."

As India is setting up to launch one of the biggest vaccination drives of the world from January 16, it has been revealed that the vaccine will be available for ₹200 a vial in India.

As India is setting up to launch one of the biggest vaccination drives of the world from January 16, it has been revealed that the vaccine will be available for ₹200 a vial in India. It has also been reported that the Centre has sent a purchase order with the Serum Institute of India (SII) on Monday, January 11, as reported by Reuters citing CNBC-TV 18 sources. Also read| Myanmar orders 30 million coronavirus vaccines from India The news has come days after the Prime Minister's Office announced the vaccination drive will begin in India from January 16. "On 16th January, India takes a landmark step forward in fighting COVID-19. Starting that day, India’s nation-wide vaccination drive begins. Priority will be given to our brave doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted. Speaking at the interaction with CMs on vaccination rollout. https://t.co/gbWZ4LsQGB — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2021 × As the news of the purchase order broke out, Modi held a virtual meeting with the Chief Ministers of the states of India to discuss the readiness for the upcoming on vaccination rollout. Also read| India records 16,311 new coronavirus cases, 161 deaths in last 24 hours Till now, 89 hospitals in the national capital New Delhi have been chosen for vaccination drive's first phase. Of these 89, 40 are government-run and 49 are private. The Centre has decided around 5,000 vaccination sites across India. "As per the instruction of the Central government, the Delhi government has prepared these 89 sites which are different hospitals of Delhi," Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain told a press conference. "At every centre, there will be 8-9 people who will handle the drive. With this preparation, the Delhi government will start the first phase of vaccination from January 16."

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to cost ₹200 a vial in India; purchase order placed with SII: Reports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Indian coronavirus vaccines are the most cost effective in the world. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-cost-rs200-a-vial-in-india-purchase-order-placed-with-sii-reports-356029">Also read | Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to cost ₹200 a vial in India; purchase order placed with SII: Reports</a> 
 
Interacting with Chief Ministers of several states ahead of the massive COVID-19 vaccination drive, he said that "our vaccines are more affordable than any other vaccine on the globe. If India needed vaccine from other countries, it would've been a big challenge." 
 
Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/myanmar-orders-30-million-coronavirus-vaccines-from-india-355773" hreflang="en">Myanmar orders 30 million coronavirus vaccines from India</a>

"India's vaccination experience will help during COVID vaccination programme," he added.

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Speaking at the interaction with CMs on vaccination rollout. <a href="https://t.co/gbWZ4LsQGB">https://t.co/gbWZ4LsQGB</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1348591718388568066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Around three crore healthcare workers and frontline workers will be vaccinated in the first phase of vaccination. In the second phase, those above 50 years and those under 50 years with co-morbid conditions will be vaccinated, confirmed PM Modi.

The government is planning to vaccinate over 30 crore people in the next few months.

PM Modi then announced, "If you look at the number of health and frontline workers across all states, it stands at around three crore. It has been decided that state governments will not have to bear the expenses of vaccination of these 3 crore people in the first phase. Govt of India will bear these expenses."

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Indian coronavirus vaccines are the most cost effective in the world. Also read | Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to cost ₹200 a vial in India; purchase order placed with SII: Reports Interacting with Chief Ministers of several states ahead of the massive COVID-19 vaccination drive, he said that "our vaccines are more affordable than any other vaccine on the globe.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Indian coronavirus vaccines are the most cost effective in the world. Also read | Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to cost ₹200 a vial in India; purchase order placed with SII: Reports Interacting with Chief Ministers of several states ahead of the massive COVID-19 vaccination drive, he said that "our vaccines are more affordable than any other vaccine on the globe. If India needed vaccine from other countries, it would've been a big challenge." Also read| Myanmar orders 30 million coronavirus vaccines from India "India's vaccination experience will help during COVID vaccination programme," he added. Speaking at the interaction with CMs on vaccination rollout. https://t.co/gbWZ4LsQGB — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2021 × Around three crore healthcare workers and frontline workers will be vaccinated in the first phase of vaccination. In the second phase, those above 50 years and those under 50 years with co-morbid conditions will be vaccinated, confirmed PM Modi. The government is planning to vaccinate over 30 crore people in the next few months. PM Modi then announced, "If you look at the number of health and frontline workers across all states, it stands at around three crore. It has been decided that state governments will not have to bear the expenses of vaccination of these 3 crore people in the first phase. Govt of India will bear these expenses." (With inputs from agencies)

Indian vaccines more affordable than any other on the globe: PM Modi

Scientists have demonstrated that a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which could potentially be stored at room temperature, can produce immunity against the novel coronavirus in mice. The vaccine, described in the ACS Central Science journal, contains ultrasmall nanoparticles studded with the spike proteins of the coronavirus which enables it to enter host cells.

"Our goal is to make a single-shot vaccine that does not require a cold-chain for storage or transport. If we're successful at doing it well, it should be cheap too," said study co-author Peter Kim from Stanford University in the US.

"The target population for our vaccine is low- and middle-income countries," Kim added.

According to the researchers, viral-based vaccines which use viruses to deliver immunising proteins are often more effective than those which contain only isolated protein parts of a virus.

They said nanoparticle vaccines balance the effectiveness of viral-based vaccines with the safety and ease-of-production of protein vaccines.

To develop the vaccine, the scientists first removed a section near the bottom of the spike protein of the coronavirus, and combined it with nanoparticles of ferritin -- an iron-containing protein -- which has been previously tested in humans.

In the following tests in mice, the researchers compared their shortened spike nanoparticles to four other potential variations -- nanoparticles with full spikes, full spikes or partial spikes without nanoparticles, and a vaccine containing just the section of the spike that binds to cells during infection.

The scientists then tested the effectiveness of these vaccines against a safer pseudo-coronavirus that was modified to carry the spike proteins.

They determined the potential effectiveness of each vaccine by monitoring levels of virus neutralising antibodies generated in the mice immune system.

After a single dose, the study found that two nanoparticle vaccine candidates both resulted in neutralising antibody levels at least twice as high as those seen in people who have had COVID-19.

According to the scientists, the shortened spike nanoparticle vaccine produced a significantly higher neutralising response than the binding spike or the full spike vaccines.

After a second dose, they said mice that had received the shortened spike nanoparticle vaccine had the highest levels of neutralising antibodies.

Based on the results, the Stanford scientists said their nanoparticle vaccine could produce COVID-19 immunity after just one dose.

The scientists believe the vaccine could also be stored at room temperature and are assessing whether it could be shipped and stored in a freeze-dried, powder form.

"This is really early stage and there is still lots of work to be done," said Abigail Powell, lead author of the study.

The researchers hope to improve the nanoparticle vaccine candidate to move it closer to initial clinical trials in humans.

Scientists have demonstrated that a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which could potentially be stored at room temperature, can produce immunity against the novel coronavirus in mice.

Scientists have demonstrated that a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which could potentially be stored at room temperature, can produce immunity against the novel coronavirus in mice. The vaccine, described in the ACS Central Science journal, contains ultrasmall nanoparticles studded with the spike proteins of the coronavirus which enables it to enter host cells. "Our goal is to make a single-shot vaccine that does not require a cold-chain for storage or transport. If we're successful at doing it well, it should be cheap too," said study co-author Peter Kim from Stanford University in the US. "The target population for our vaccine is low- and middle-income countries," Kim added. According to the researchers, viral-based vaccines which use viruses to deliver immunising proteins are often more effective than those which contain only isolated protein parts of a virus. They said nanoparticle vaccines balance the effectiveness of viral-based vaccines with the safety and ease-of-production of protein vaccines. To develop the vaccine, the scientists first removed a section near the bottom of the spike protein of the coronavirus, and combined it with nanoparticles of ferritin -- an iron-containing protein -- which has been previously tested in humans. In the following tests in mice, the researchers compared their shortened spike nanoparticles to four other potential variations -- nanoparticles with full spikes, full spikes or partial spikes without nanoparticles, and a vaccine containing just the section of the spike that binds to cells during infection. The scientists then tested the effectiveness of these vaccines against a safer pseudo-coronavirus that was modified to carry the spike proteins. They determined the potential effectiveness of each vaccine by monitoring levels of virus neutralising antibodies generated in the mice immune system. After a single dose, the study found that two nanoparticle vaccine candidates both resulted in neutralising antibody levels at least twice as high as those seen in people who have had COVID-19. According to the scientists, the shortened spike nanoparticle vaccine produced a significantly higher neutralising response than the binding spike or the full spike vaccines. After a second dose, they said mice that had received the shortened spike nanoparticle vaccine had the highest levels of neutralising antibodies. Based on the results, the Stanford scientists said their nanoparticle vaccine could produce COVID-19 immunity after just one dose. The scientists believe the vaccine could also be stored at room temperature and are assessing whether it could be shipped and stored in a freeze-dried, powder form. "This is really early stage and there is still lots of work to be done," said Abigail Powell, lead author of the study. The researchers hope to improve the nanoparticle vaccine candidate to move it closer to initial clinical trials in humans.

Single dose COVID-19 vaccine candidate generates immunity in mice: Study

The United Kingdom on Wednesday approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford, and AstraZeneca for use in the country, paving way for further vaccination.

Earlier, the UK had become the first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, which is now being administered to people around the world.

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This approval means that Britain would upgrade its vaccination capability. The country has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine from the manufacturer - AstraZeneca, and it's enough to vaccinate 50 million people in the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/india-to-approve-astrazeneca-oxford-vaccine-soon-adar-poonawalla-352976" hreflang="en">India to approve AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine soon: Adar Poonawalla</a>

The vaccine was developed in the first few months of 2020, and was tested on the first volunteer in April. Since then, thousands have participated in the trials.

Since the approval of the Pfizer jab in December, over 600,000 people have received the vaccine in the country.

Experts have now turned their attention to making sure the existing vaccines work against the new variant too. Considering the same,&nbsp;AstraZeneca chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said his team of researchers are almost sure that the Oxford vaccine will be able to fight against the novel coronavirus.

he said more tests need to be performed to be sure about this. "So far, we think the vaccine should remain effective. But we can’t be sure, so we’re going to test that," Soriot said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/astrazeneca-chief-claims-vaccine-works-against-new-strain-of-coronavirus-352737" hreflang="en">AstraZeneca chief claims vaccine works against new strain of coronavirus</a>

Hailing it as a "winning formula", Soriot thanked the team of researchers and said he hopes it will be able to contain the new variant of the virus found in several countries such as the UK, South Africa, Italy, etc.

"We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody else," Soriot said, refusing to reveal any more information before it is officially published.

The United Kingdom on Wednesday approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford, and AstraZeneca for use in the country, paving way for further vaccination.

The United Kingdom on Wednesday approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford, and AstraZeneca for use in the country, paving way for further vaccination. Earlier, the UK had become the first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, which is now being administered to people around the world. This approval means that Britain would upgrade its vaccination capability. The country has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine from the manufacturer - AstraZeneca, and it's enough to vaccinate 50 million people in the country. Also read: India to approve AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine soon: Adar Poonawalla The vaccine was developed in the first few months of 2020, and was tested on the first volunteer in April. Since then, thousands have participated in the trials. Since the approval of the Pfizer jab in December, over 600,000 people have received the vaccine in the country. Experts have now turned their attention to making sure the existing vaccines work against the new variant too. Considering the same, AstraZeneca chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said his team of researchers are almost sure that the Oxford vaccine will be able to fight against the novel coronavirus. he said more tests need to be performed to be sure about this. "So far, we think the vaccine should remain effective. But we can’t be sure, so we’re going to test that," Soriot said. Also read: AstraZeneca chief claims vaccine works against new strain of coronavirus Hailing it as a "winning formula", Soriot thanked the team of researchers and said he hopes it will be able to contain the new variant of the virus found in several countries such as the UK, South Africa, Italy, etc. "We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody else," Soriot said, refusing to reveal any more information before it is officially published.

British regulator approves Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccines may not put an end to the pandemic. As for the virus- it may be here to stay. Past pandemics, present numbers, and experts- all corroborate this. Listen in to WION's Palki Sharma.

Gravitas Plus: Will the entry of vaccines spell the exit of the pandemic?

There are still important questions about what dose would be best, as well as the age group it will protect the most.

'Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe and effective', claims Lancet report

The Oxford team behind a successful COVID-19 vaccine candidate will soon enter the final stage of human trials in a jab against malaria.

Scientists at Oxford University’s Jenner Institute have been working on both vaccines.&nbsp;

The Jenner Institute director Adrian Hill said the malaria vaccine will be tested on 4,800 children in Africa next year after early trials yielded promising results.

The vaccine could significantly cut half a million deaths from the disease every year.

UNICEF describes the disease as "the largest killer of children" - with one child dying from it every 30 seconds - about 3,000 every day. As much as 90 per cent of cases are reported to be in sub-Saharan Africa - with children under five accounting for 65 per cent of all deaths.

The malaria jab could be in use by 2024, should the final human trials be successful.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is currently awaiting regulatory approval for use in the UK.

The Oxford team behind a successful COVID-19 vaccine candidate will soon enter the final stage of human trials in a jab against malaria. Scientists at Oxford University’s Jenner Institute have been working on both vaccines.

The Oxford team behind a successful COVID-19 vaccine candidate will soon enter the final stage of human trials in a jab against malaria. Scientists at Oxford University’s Jenner Institute have been working on both vaccines. The Jenner Institute director Adrian Hill said the malaria vaccine will be tested on 4,800 children in Africa next year after early trials yielded promising results. The vaccine could significantly cut half a million deaths from the disease every year. UNICEF describes the disease as "the largest killer of children" - with one child dying from it every 30 seconds - about 3,000 every day. As much as 90 per cent of cases are reported to be in sub-Saharan Africa - with children under five accounting for 65 per cent of all deaths. The malaria jab could be in use by 2024, should the final human trials be successful. The Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is currently awaiting regulatory approval for use in the UK.

Scientists behind Oxford Covid vaccine to soon start final trials of Malaria jab

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a> developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca will undergo a new global trial as questions remain of the claims whether it could protect up to 90 per cent of people.&nbsp;

Sir John Bell, Oxford’s regius professor of medicine and the UK government’s life sciences adviser, on Thursday, rejected claims that the previous trial had not been properly conducted.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="wionews.com/world/90-efficacy-of-oxfords-coronavirus-vaccine-came-from-younger-group-345535">90% efficacy of Oxford's coronavirus vaccine came from younger group</a>

"We weren't cooking this up as we went along," the Oxford University professor said, adding that the full, peer-reviewed data would likely be published in the Lancet medical journal this weekend.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-european-commission-president-ursula-von-der-leyen-says-first-european-citizen-might-be-vaccinated-before-end-december-345336">'Light at the end of the tunnel': European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says first European citizen might be vaccinated before end December</a>

Meanwhile, the UK government has asked its independent drugs regulator to study the Oxford/ Astrazeneca vaccine as part of the formal approval process. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"We have formally asked the regulator to assess the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, to understand the data and determine whether it meets rigorous safety standards," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock, as reported by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The vaccine has completed Phase III clinical trials, the final stage to detect the efficacy of any drug.&nbsp;

Data so far has shown that the vaccine has an average effectiveness of about 70 per cent.&nbsp;

On Friday, the shares of the drug dropped despite it requiring normal temperatures for storage and likely to available in relatively cheap prices.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca will undergo a new global trial as questions remain of the claims whether it could protect up to 90 per cent of people.

The coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca will undergo a new global trial as questions remain of the claims whether it could protect up to 90 per cent of people. Sir John Bell, Oxford’s regius professor of medicine and the UK government’s life sciences adviser, on Thursday, rejected claims that the previous trial had not been properly conducted. Also read | 90% efficacy of Oxford's coronavirus vaccine came from younger group "We weren't cooking this up as we went along," the Oxford University professor said, adding that the full, peer-reviewed data would likely be published in the Lancet medical journal this weekend. Also read | 'Light at the end of the tunnel': European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says first European citizen might be vaccinated before end December Meanwhile, the UK government has asked its independent drugs regulator to study the Oxford/ Astrazeneca vaccine as part of the formal approval process. "We have formally asked the regulator to assess the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, to understand the data and determine whether it meets rigorous safety standards," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock, as reported by news agency AFP. The vaccine has completed Phase III clinical trials, the final stage to detect the efficacy of any drug. Data so far has shown that the vaccine has an average effectiveness of about 70 per cent. On Friday, the shares of the drug dropped despite it requiring normal temperatures for storage and likely to available in relatively cheap prices.

Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to undergo new global trials

Among the many types of facemasks in use, such as cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, the study says only the latter can filter out aerosol-sized droplets.&nbsp;

The use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19 has been widely recommended by health professionals. Face masks slow spread of COVID-19 and help to prevent the aftereffects of the deadly virus.

According to a review of studies, the COVID-19 pandemic could be stopped if at least 70 percent of the public wore face masks consistently.

The research, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, assessed studies on face masks and reviewed epidemiological reports on whether they reduce the number of people an infected person spreads the pathogen to — the reproduction number of the virus.

”The highly efficacious facemask, such as surgical masks with an estimated efficacy of around 70 percent, could lead to the eradication of the pandemic if at least 70 percent of the residents use such masks in public consistently,” the scientists, including Sanjay Kumar from the National University of Singapore, wrote in the study. ”Even less efficient cloth masks could also slow the spread if worn consistently,” Kumar added.

According to the scientists, one key aspect of face mask function involves the size of fluid droplets expelled from the nose and mouth when a person talks, sings, sneezes, coughs, or even simply breathes. They said larger droplets, with sizes around 5-10 microns, are the most common, adding that smaller droplets below 5 microns are possibly more dangerous. In comparison, the scientists said the human hair is about 70 microns in diameter.

Among the many types of facemasks in use, such as cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, they said only the latter can filter out aerosol-sized droplets. The performance of face masks worn for many hours, such as by health care or other essential workers, impact how effective overall mask-wearing can be, the researchers added. They found that face masks made of hybrid polymer materials could filter particles at high efficiency while simultaneously cooling the face since the fibres used in these allow heat to escape from beneath the mask.

”There could be some relation between breathing resistance and the flow resistance of the face mask which will need to be studied for a face mask-wearing interval,” said Heow Pueh Lee, another co-author of the study.

”Also, the environmental condition in the compartmental space within the face mask will need to be more accurately quantified using miniaturised sensors and the development of human replicas for such studies,” Lee said. Based on the analysis, the researchers underscored the importance of consistent use of efficient facemasks, such as surgical masks.

(With inputs from agencies)

Among the many types of facemasks in use, such as cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, the study says only the latter can filter out aerosol-sized droplets.

Among the many types of facemasks in use, such as cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, the study says only the latter can filter out aerosol-sized droplets. The use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19 has been widely recommended by health professionals. Face masks slow spread of COVID-19 and help to prevent the aftereffects of the deadly virus. According to a review of studies, the COVID-19 pandemic could be stopped if at least 70 percent of the public wore face masks consistently. The research, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, assessed studies on face masks and reviewed epidemiological reports on whether they reduce the number of people an infected person spreads the pathogen to — the reproduction number of the virus. ”The highly efficacious facemask, such as surgical masks with an estimated efficacy of around 70 percent, could lead to the eradication of the pandemic if at least 70 percent of the residents use such masks in public consistently,” the scientists, including Sanjay Kumar from the National University of Singapore, wrote in the study. ”Even less efficient cloth masks could also slow the spread if worn consistently,” Kumar added. According to the scientists, one key aspect of face mask function involves the size of fluid droplets expelled from the nose and mouth when a person talks, sings, sneezes, coughs, or even simply breathes. They said larger droplets, with sizes around 5-10 microns, are the most common, adding that smaller droplets below 5 microns are possibly more dangerous. In comparison, the scientists said the human hair is about 70 microns in diameter. Among the many types of facemasks in use, such as cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, they said only the latter can filter out aerosol-sized droplets. The performance of face masks worn for many hours, such as by health care or other essential workers, impact how effective overall mask-wearing can be, the researchers added. They found that face masks made of hybrid polymer materials could filter particles at high efficiency while simultaneously cooling the face since the fibres used in these allow heat to escape from beneath the mask. ”There could be some relation between breathing resistance and the flow resistance of the face mask which will need to be studied for a face mask-wearing interval,” said Heow Pueh Lee, another co-author of the study. ”Also, the environmental condition in the compartmental space within the face mask will need to be more accurately quantified using miniaturised sensors and the development of human replicas for such studies,” Lee said. Based on the analysis, the researchers underscored the importance of consistent use of efficient facemasks, such as surgical masks. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid-19 pandemic can be stopped if 70 per cent of public wore masks consistently: Study

Russian Gamaleya research institute, the developers of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine said on Thursday that AstraZeneca should try combining its experimental shot with the Russian one to boost efficacy. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxfordastrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccine-to-undergo-new-global-trials-345677">Also read | Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to undergo new global trials</a> 
 
Adding more colour to the race for a COVID-19 vaccine, the Gamaleya research institute wrote on Twitter that, "Current full dose AstraZeneca regimen resulted in 62% efficacy. If they go for a new clinical trial, we suggest trying a regimen of combining the AZ shot with the #SputnikV human adenoviral vector shot to boost efficacy. Combining vaccines may prove important for revaccinations." 
 
Sputnik V's comment came right after reports that AstraZeneca is likely to run an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of lower dosing regimen of its vaccine.

In August, Russia became the first country to register a COVID-19 vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya research institute, have demonstrated that its efficacy rate is over 90 per cent.

AstraZeneca has said it will have as many as 200 million doses of its vaccine by the end of 2020.

The British developed vaccine is viewed as offering one of the best hopes for many developing countries because of its cheaper price and ability to be transported at normal fridge temperatures.

With 2,187,990 infections, Russia has the fourth-largest number of Covid-19 cases in the world behind the United States, India and Brazil.

AstraZeneca is likely to run an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of its vaccine, its chief executive Pascal Soriot was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News after questions were raised over the results from its late-stage study.

The British government's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance said the main point about the AstraZeneca vaccine was that it worked when asked about these doubts.

"The headline result is the vaccine works and that's very exciting," Vallance said during a news briefing with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Russian Gamaleya research institute, the developers of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine said on Thursday that AstraZeneca should try combining its experimental shot with the Russian one to boost efficacy.

Russian Gamaleya research institute, the developers of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine said on Thursday that AstraZeneca should try combining its experimental shot with the Russian one to boost efficacy. Also read | Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to undergo new global trials Adding more colour to the race for a COVID-19 vaccine, the Gamaleya research institute wrote on Twitter that, "Current full dose AstraZeneca regimen resulted in 62% efficacy. If they go for a new clinical trial, we suggest trying a regimen of combining the AZ shot with the #SputnikV human adenoviral vector shot to boost efficacy. Combining vaccines may prove important for revaccinations." Sputnik V's comment came right after reports that AstraZeneca is likely to run an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of lower dosing regimen of its vaccine. In August, Russia became the first country to register a COVID-19 vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya research institute, have demonstrated that its efficacy rate is over 90 per cent. AstraZeneca has said it will have as many as 200 million doses of its vaccine by the end of 2020. The British developed vaccine is viewed as offering one of the best hopes for many developing countries because of its cheaper price and ability to be transported at normal fridge temperatures. With 2,187,990 infections, Russia has the fourth-largest number of Covid-19 cases in the world behind the United States, India and Brazil. AstraZeneca is likely to run an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of its vaccine, its chief executive Pascal Soriot was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News after questions were raised over the results from its late-stage study. The British government's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance said the main point about the AstraZeneca vaccine was that it worked when asked about these doubts. "The headline result is the vaccine works and that's very exciting," Vallance said during a news briefing with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. (With inputs from agencies)

Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre

The makers of the Oxford vaccine want to sell their shot at cost price to developing countries. How are other vaccine makers planning to price their vaccines? WION's Molly Gambhir has the details.

Gravitas: Will the Oxford shot be the cheapest available vaccine?

It's been a year of many firsts, and to add to the list, for the first time ever&nbsp;Oxford English Dictionary has been unable to choose one 'word of the year'.&nbsp;

Every year, the Oxford English Dictionary chooses a 'word of the year' on the basis of the frequency of the usage of the word. However, 2020 is the first time the language experts have failed to choose a single word this year due to the extensive list of words used and searched.

'It quickly became apparent that 2020 is not a year that could neatly be accommodated in one single 'word of the year,' the officials of&nbsp;Oxford English Dictionary said.

Words that have been used the most this year started with "Bushfire" in January after Australian wildfire which affected millions of people and wildlife.

It quickly shifted to "acquittal"&nbsp; in February when the outgoing US President &nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>'s impeachment trial ended. However, as coronavirus took over the world, the language world was also&nbsp;taken over by pandemic-related words such as "COVID-19", "lockdown", "social distancing" and "reopening".&nbsp;

The focus again shifted to raising voices against the police brutality inflicted upon the African-American community, and the most searched word exploded with&nbsp;"Black Lives Matter" and "BIPOC", followed by Trump clan's disdain over "cancel culture".

The month of August saw a rise in the words&nbsp;"Mail-in"&nbsp;following Trump's&nbsp;blast about irregularities in the&nbsp;mail-in voting system for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>&nbsp;2020&nbsp;and "Belarusian"&nbsp;following the controversy around the&nbsp;Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

The month of October flagged the word&nbsp;"superspreader"&nbsp;after Trump&nbsp;was blamed for hosting a superspreader event in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/the-white-house">White House</a>.

The report was titled 'Words of an Unprecedented Year' and stated that there was a huge spike in the number of adjectives used this year.

"Though what was genuinely unprecedented this year was the hyper-speed at which the English-speaking world amassed a new collective vocabulary relating to the coronavirus, and how quickly it became, in many instances, a core part of the language," the report read.

OED had decided "climate emergency" as word of the year for 2019 and "toxic" for 2018.

It's been a year of many firsts, and to add to the list, for the first time ever Oxford English Dictionary has been unable to choose one 'word of the year'. Every year, the Oxford English Dictionary chooses a 'word of the year' on the basis of the frequency of the usage of the word.

It's been a year of many firsts, and to add to the list, for the first time ever Oxford English Dictionary has been unable to choose one 'word of the year'. Every year, the Oxford English Dictionary chooses a 'word of the year' on the basis of the frequency of the usage of the word. However, 2020 is the first time the language experts have failed to choose a single word this year due to the extensive list of words used and searched. 'It quickly became apparent that 2020 is not a year that could neatly be accommodated in one single 'word of the year,' the officials of Oxford English Dictionary said. Words that have been used the most this year started with "Bushfire" in January after Australian wildfire which affected millions of people and wildlife. It quickly shifted to "acquittal" in February when the outgoing US President Donald Trump's impeachment trial ended. However, as coronavirus took over the world, the language world was also taken over by pandemic-related words such as "COVID-19", "lockdown", "social distancing" and "reopening". The focus again shifted to raising voices against the police brutality inflicted upon the African-American community, and the most searched word exploded with "Black Lives Matter" and "BIPOC", followed by Trump clan's disdain over "cancel culture". The month of August saw a rise in the words "Mail-in" following Trump's blast about irregularities in the mail-in voting system for US elections 2020 and "Belarusian" following the controversy around the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The month of October flagged the word "superspreader" after Trump was blamed for hosting a superspreader event in the White House. The report was titled 'Words of an Unprecedented Year' and stated that there was a huge spike in the number of adjectives used this year. "Though what was genuinely unprecedented this year was the hyper-speed at which the English-speaking world amassed a new collective vocabulary relating to the coronavirus, and how quickly it became, in many instances, a core part of the language," the report read. OED had decided "climate emergency" as word of the year for 2019 and "toxic" for 2018.

'Lockdown', 'Coronavirus', 'Mail-in' and more: Oxford English Dictionary fails to pick one 'word of the year'

AstraZeneca has announced that its vaccine candidate has shown an average efficacy of about 70% , The vaccine candidate has been developed along with the Oxford. The potential vaccine against the novel coronavirus maybe around 90 percent effective, the company said citing interim analysis of results from late-stage clinical trials.

Oxford-AstraZeneca says COVID-19 vaccine candidate is 70% effective

The Oxford Vaccine is being called a milestone in the fight against the Wuhan Virus. Who developed this vaccine? How does it work? How effective is it? How much does it cost? When can you access it?

Gravitas: The Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine

The potential vaccine against the novel coronavirus maybe around 90 percent effective, the company said citing interim analysis of results from late-stage clinical trials.

Oxford, AstraZeneca say their candidate prevents average 70% people from getting COVID

Scientists from Oxford University have now developed a rapid antigen test for the novel coronavirus which can complete the whole process within five minutes.

The researchers released the details on Thursday and also said that the test can also be used in mass testing at airports and businesses.

This device will be able to detect and distinguish the novel coronavirus from other viruses&nbsp;with high accuracy, the researchers said in a pre-print study.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-this-one-blood-group-is-less-vulnerable-to-coronavirus-335456">Also read|&nbsp;COVID-19: This one blood group is less vulnerable to coronavirus</a>

"Our method quickly detects intact virus particles," said Professor Achilles Kapanidis, at Oxford's Department of Physics, adding that this meant the test would be "simple, extremely rapid, and cost-effective".

Researchers are hoping that the production and testing of the device will hopefully start in early 2021 and it might be available for mass use within six months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-increases-risks-for-cancer-patients-common-cold-antibodies-no-help-vs-coronavirus-335363">Also read|&nbsp;COVID-19 increases risks for cancer patients; common cold antibodies no help vs coronavirus</a>

Rapid antigen tests have been quite popular and useful in the last few months to test the novel coronavirus. The ones in use are being developed to become cheaper, but researchers are hoping this will be cheaper than the rest of the available devices.

The test will prove out to be successsful especially during the winter season when the coronavirus came attain another peak.

Scientists from Oxford University have now developed a rapid antigen test for the novel coronavirus which can complete the whole process within five minutes. The researchers released the details on Thursday and also said that the test can also be used in mass testing at airports and businesses.

Scientists from Oxford University have now developed a rapid antigen test for the novel coronavirus which can complete the whole process within five minutes. The researchers released the details on Thursday and also said that the test can also be used in mass testing at airports and businesses. This device will be able to detect and distinguish the novel coronavirus from other viruses with high accuracy, the researchers said in a pre-print study. Also read| COVID-19: This one blood group is less vulnerable to coronavirus "Our method quickly detects intact virus particles," said Professor Achilles Kapanidis, at Oxford's Department of Physics, adding that this meant the test would be "simple, extremely rapid, and cost-effective". Researchers are hoping that the production and testing of the device will hopefully start in early 2021 and it might be available for mass use within six months. Also read| COVID-19 increases risks for cancer patients; common cold antibodies no help vs coronavirus Rapid antigen tests have been quite popular and useful in the last few months to test the novel coronavirus. The ones in use are being developed to become cheaper, but researchers are hoping this will be cheaper than the rest of the available devices. The test will prove out to be successsful especially during the winter season when the coronavirus came attain another peak.

Oxford develops five-minute COVID-19 rapid antigen test

This was the first indication that the US trial will remain on hold until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a safety panel investigate the case.

What's the status of Oxford-AstraZeneca trials in US; Detailed report

The project has started Phase III of the human trials to assess how the vaccine works in a large number of people over the age of 18[.

Oxford vaccine trial crosses a major milestone; Watch this report

United Kingdom to start the production of experimental COVID-19 vaccine discovered by Oxford. Government is funding around 84 Million Pounds to ramp up the production. Watch this video to get more details.

UK to start production of experimental COVID-19 vaccine by Oxford

While scientists all around the world are racing to develop the vaccine soon for COVID-19, Oxford University scientists have claimed that the coronavirus vaccine could be available by September this year. Watch report.

Why the Oxford group is ahead in developing the COVID-19 vaccine?

A leading candidate for a Covid-19 vaccine has shown promising results in animal trials and is expected to see mass production in India within months.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-coronavirus-end-in-us-uk-france-india-study-predicts-dates-month-295324">When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates &amp; month</a>

The Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest maker of vaccines by volume, said on Tuesday that it plans this year to produce up to 60 million doses of a potential vaccine developed by the University of Oxford, which is under clinical trial in Britain.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-reports-586-covid-19-deaths-in-last-24-hours-death-toll-crosses-21600-295396">Also read |&nbsp;UK reports 586 COVID-19 deaths in last 24 hours; death toll crosses 21,600</a>

While the vaccine candidate, called “ChAdOx1 nCoV-19”, is yet to be proven to work against Covid-19, Serum decided to start manufacturing it as it had shown success in animal trials and had progressed to tests on humans, Serum Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said.

Six rhesus macaque monkeys were inoculated with the vaccine candidate at the National Institutes of Health’s Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Montana last month, according to The New York Times.

The subjects were exposed afterwards to large quantities of the novel coronavirus, but all six remained healthy after more than 28 days, the newspaper reported, citing researcher Vincent Munster, who conducted the test.

More than 3 million people have been reported to be infected globally and over 210,000 have died from Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.

“They are a bunch of very qualified, great scientists [at Oxford] … That’s why we said we will go with this and that’s why we are confident,” Poonawalla told Reuters in a phone interview.

“Being a private limited company, not accountable to public investors or bankers, I can take a little risk and sideline some of the other commercial products and projects that I had planned in my existing facility,” Poonawalla said.

As many as 100 potential Covid-19 candidate vaccines are now under development by biotech and research teams around the world, and at least five of these are in preliminary testing in people in what is known as phase one clinical trials.

Poonawalla said he hoped trials of the Oxford vaccine, due to finish in about September, would be successful. Oxford scientists said last week the main focus of initial tests was to ascertain not only whether the vaccine worked but that it induced good immune responses and no unacceptable side effects.

Serum, owned by the Indian billionaire Cyrus Poonawalla, plans to make the vaccine at its two manufacturing plants in the western city of Pune, aiming to produce up to 400 million doses next year if all goes well, Poonawalla said.

“A majority of the vaccine, at least initially, would have to go to our countrymen before it goes abroad,” he said, adding that Serum would leave it to the Indian government to decide which countries would get how much of the vaccine and when.

Serum envisages a price of 1,000 rupees (US$14.70) per vaccine, but governments would give it to people without charge, he said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office was “very closely” involved in the vaccine production and the company is hoping the government will help foot the cost of making it.

Over roughly the next five months, Serum will spend some 300 million to 400 million rupees (US$4.4 million to US$5.9 million) on making around 3-5 million doses per month, he said. “[The government] are very happy to share some risk and fund something with us, but we haven’t really pencilled anything down yet,” Poonawalla said.

The serum has also partnered with the US biotech firm Codagenix and Austria’s Themis on two other Covid-19 vaccine candidates and plans to announce the fourth alliance in a couple of weeks, he said.

Serum’s board last week also agreed to invest roughly 6 billion rupees (US$8.8 billion) on making a new manufacturing unit to solely produce coronavirus vaccines, Poonawalla said.

A leading candidate for a Covid-19 vaccine has shown promising results in animal trials and is expected to see mass production in India within months. Also read: When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India?

A leading candidate for a Covid-19 vaccine has shown promising results in animal trials and is expected to see mass production in India within months. Also read: When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates & month The Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest maker of vaccines by volume, said on Tuesday that it plans this year to produce up to 60 million doses of a potential vaccine developed by the University of Oxford, which is under clinical trial in Britain. Also read | UK reports 586 COVID-19 deaths in last 24 hours; death toll crosses 21,600 While the vaccine candidate, called “ChAdOx1 nCoV-19”, is yet to be proven to work against Covid-19, Serum decided to start manufacturing it as it had shown success in animal trials and had progressed to tests on humans, Serum Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said. Six rhesus macaque monkeys were inoculated with the vaccine candidate at the National Institutes of Health’s Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Montana last month, according to The New York Times. The subjects were exposed afterwards to large quantities of the novel coronavirus, but all six remained healthy after more than 28 days, the newspaper reported, citing researcher Vincent Munster, who conducted the test. More than 3 million people have been reported to be infected globally and over 210,000 have died from Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. “They are a bunch of very qualified, great scientists [at Oxford] … That’s why we said we will go with this and that’s why we are confident,” Poonawalla told Reuters in a phone interview. “Being a private limited company, not accountable to public investors or bankers, I can take a little risk and sideline some of the other commercial products and projects that I had planned in my existing facility,” Poonawalla said. As many as 100 potential Covid-19 candidate vaccines are now under development by biotech and research teams around the world, and at least five of these are in preliminary testing in people in what is known as phase one clinical trials. Poonawalla said he hoped trials of the Oxford vaccine, due to finish in about September, would be successful. Oxford scientists said last week the main focus of initial tests was to ascertain not only whether the vaccine worked but that it induced good immune responses and no unacceptable side effects. Serum, owned by the Indian billionaire Cyrus Poonawalla, plans to make the vaccine at its two manufacturing plants in the western city of Pune, aiming to produce up to 400 million doses next year if all goes well, Poonawalla said. “A majority of the vaccine, at least initially, would have to go to our countrymen before it goes abroad,” he said, adding that Serum would leave it to the Indian government to decide which countries would get how much of the vaccine and when. Serum envisages a price of 1,000 rupees (US$14.70) per vaccine, but governments would give it to people without charge, he said. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office was “very closely” involved in the vaccine production and the company is hoping the government will help foot the cost of making it. Over roughly the next five months, Serum will spend some 300 million to 400 million rupees (US$4.4 million to US$5.9 million) on making around 3-5 million doses per month, he said. “[The government] are very happy to share some risk and fund something with us, but we haven’t really pencilled anything down yet,” Poonawalla said. The serum has also partnered with the US biotech firm Codagenix and Austria’s Themis on two other Covid-19 vaccine candidates and plans to announce the fourth alliance in a couple of weeks, he said. Serum’s board last week also agreed to invest roughly 6 billion rupees (US$8.8 billion) on making a new manufacturing unit to solely produce coronavirus vaccines, Poonawalla said.

Coronavirus: Oxford vaccine effective in monkeys, heading for mass production in India

Oxford university has started human trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine. Two volunteers have been injected as part of the trial out of a group of 800.

They will be monitored for 48 hours. Scientists will then gradually start injecting more volunteers.&nbsp;

The team started research on a COVID-19 vaccine in February and hopes to have a vaccine ready by September.

Hundreds of Hong Kong students appeared for their final secondary school exams on Friday.

The students were asked to arrive early to have their temperatures checked and their desks were placed about 6 feet apart.

The number of cases in the city has come down. &nbsp;But social distancing measures remain in place.

On Monday, the city reported no new cases for the first time since early March.

Russia is all set to open a temporary hospital in St Petersburg for coronavirus patients by the end of the week.

The facility will have over 1,000 beds.

The Defence Ministry is building 16 brand new hospitals across the country which are expected to be ready by mid-May.

Wearing masks is now mandatory in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro to curb the spread of COVID-19.

To encourage people to follow the rule, the state authorities decorated about 40 statues with masks. Brazil has recorded over 49,000 confirmed cases.

On Thursday, demonstrators in Washington DC &nbsp;placed fake body bags outside the trump hotel. Expressing their anger against the mounting coronavirus death toll.&nbsp;

Chanting slogans like "Trump lies, people die!", the protesters called for trump's resignation over his handling of the crisis.

The United State's tally is now nearing 900,000 cases, and nearly 50,000 people have been killed by the virus.

Separated by a transparent plastic barrier, residents of a French nursing home reunited with their family members for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak.

The French government has relaxed restrictions on visits to retirement homes. 8,309 people have died from coronavirus-related illnesses in French nursing homes --- accounting for 60% of France's total death toll.

An auto-rickshaw resembling the coronavirus is on a mission in southern India.

Through loudspeaker announcements, it is spreading awareness in Chennai city on how littering and spitting contribute to the spread of the virus.

Street artist Banksy's famous mural &nbsp;"girl with a pierced eardrum" now has a COVID-19 facelift.

The mural now wears a blue surgical face mask. The mural was painted on a building in the artist's home city of Bristol in England in 2014. Whether the addition has been made by the artist is not known.

Oxford university has started human trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine. Two volunteers have been injected as part of the trial out of a group of 800. They will be monitored for 48 hours.

Oxford university has started human trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine. Two volunteers have been injected as part of the trial out of a group of 800. They will be monitored for 48 hours. Scientists will then gradually start injecting more volunteers. The team started research on a COVID-19 vaccine in February and hopes to have a vaccine ready by September. Hundreds of Hong Kong students appeared for their final secondary school exams on Friday. The students were asked to arrive early to have their temperatures checked and their desks were placed about 6 feet apart. The number of cases in the city has come down. But social distancing measures remain in place. On Monday, the city reported no new cases for the first time since early March. Russia is all set to open a temporary hospital in St Petersburg for coronavirus patients by the end of the week. The facility will have over 1,000 beds. The Defence Ministry is building 16 brand new hospitals across the country which are expected to be ready by mid-May. Wearing masks is now mandatory in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro to curb the spread of COVID-19. To encourage people to follow the rule, the state authorities decorated about 40 statues with masks. Brazil has recorded over 49,000 confirmed cases. On Thursday, demonstrators in Washington DC placed fake body bags outside the trump hotel. Expressing their anger against the mounting coronavirus death toll. Chanting slogans like "Trump lies, people die!", the protesters called for trump's resignation over his handling of the crisis. The United State's tally is now nearing 900,000 cases, and nearly 50,000 people have been killed by the virus. Separated by a transparent plastic barrier, residents of a French nursing home reunited with their family members for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak. The French government has relaxed restrictions on visits to retirement homes. 8,309 people have died from coronavirus-related illnesses in French nursing homes --- accounting for 60% of France's total death toll. An auto-rickshaw resembling the coronavirus is on a mission in southern India. Through loudspeaker announcements, it is spreading awareness in Chennai city on how littering and spitting contribute to the spread of the virus. Street artist Banksy's famous mural "girl with a pierced eardrum" now has a COVID-19 facelift. The mural now wears a blue surgical face mask. The mural was painted on a building in the artist's home city of Bristol in England in 2014. Whether the addition has been made by the artist is not known.

Coronavirus tracker: From human trials at Oxford to painted murals at Bristol!

Ireland is getting ready for a historic referendum on Friday which will decide the decades old constitutional ban on abortion needs to be scrapped.

Currently divided into two as campaign yes -- in favour of the ban --&nbsp;and campaign no -- against the ban --&nbsp;the country has witnessed various anti-abortion rallies in past months in which thousands of people took part.

Local media also reported Irish citizens around the world travelling to Ireland ahead of the referendum.

Universities like Cambridge, Oxford, London and Nottingham also introduces bursaries to help students to fly to Ireland for the referendum.

The historic referendum will take place on Friday (May 25) to decide whether to revoke the constitutional ban on abortion. According to the current amendment, it states that a foetus also has an equal right to life just like its mother.

After seeing various protests, the Ireland government proposed&nbsp;an amendment which allows abortion for women up to 12 weeks of pregnancy only if the country voted yes.

Meanwhile, media reports said that there is high chance that the campaign yes will win as opinion polls have shown a significant lead for the yes campaign.

However, Yes campaigners are still concerned that the conservatism linked to Ireland's Catholic tradition still guides many voters' views which could affect the final decision.

The campaign to liberalise abortion laws got more impetus in 2012 when an Indian woman Savita Halappanavar died in a Galway hospital after she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, stated she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat, reported a news portal.

Reports say that her life could have been saved if the doctors have terminated her pregnancy.

Currently, women living in Ireland used to travel to London to terminate their unwanted pregnancy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-ed-sheerans-song-small-bump-being-used-for-anti-abortion-campaign-singer-expresses-displeasure-138615">Ed Sheeran unhappy with campaigners for using 'Small Bump' for anti-abortion promotion in Ireland</a>

The historic referendum will take place on Friday (May 25) to decide whether to revoke the constitutional ban on abortion

Ireland is getting ready for a historic referendum on Friday which will decide the decades old constitutional ban on abortion needs to be scrapped. Currently divided into two as campaign yes -- in favour of the ban -- and campaign no -- against the ban -- the country has witnessed various anti-abortion rallies in past months in which thousands of people took part. Local media also reported Irish citizens around the world travelling to Ireland ahead of the referendum. Universities like Cambridge, Oxford, London and Nottingham also introduces bursaries to help students to fly to Ireland for the referendum. The historic referendum will take place on Friday (May 25) to decide whether to revoke the constitutional ban on abortion. According to the current amendment, it states that a foetus also has an equal right to life just like its mother. After seeing various protests, the Ireland government proposed an amendment which allows abortion for women up to 12 weeks of pregnancy only if the country voted yes. Meanwhile, media reports said that there is high chance that the campaign yes will win as opinion polls have shown a significant lead for the yes campaign. However, Yes campaigners are still concerned that the conservatism linked to Ireland's Catholic tradition still guides many voters' views which could affect the final decision. The campaign to liberalise abortion laws got more impetus in 2012 when an Indian woman Savita Halappanavar died in a Galway hospital after she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, stated she repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat, reported a news portal. Reports say that her life could have been saved if the doctors have terminated her pregnancy. Currently, women living in Ireland used to travel to London to terminate their unwanted pregnancy. Also read: Ed Sheeran unhappy with campaigners for using 'Small Bump' for anti-abortion promotion in Ireland

Ahead of anti-abortion referendum, yes campaigners take lead in Ireland

The Oxford dictionaries has&nbsp;recognised &quot;youthquake&quot; as the 2017 word of the year.&nbsp;

The recognition has been granted since there was a fivefold increase in the use of the term between 2016-2017.&nbsp;

The word introduced by Vogue editor Diana Vreeland 50 years ago, was first used to describe sudden changes in fashion, music and attitudes.&nbsp;

The recent changes being referred to described young people driving political change.&nbsp;

Oxford Dictionaries&#39; Casper Grathwohl had said that the use of the word peaked during the June general election in the United Kingdom after polls delivered unexpected result for Labour party.&nbsp;

It describes the surging youth support for Britain&#39;s Labour party and the election of 30-something leaders in France and New Zealand. 
 
Every year the Oxford dictionary releases a word from the English language on the basis of the usage of the word.

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The word describes the surging youth support for Britain's Labour party

The Oxford dictionaries has recognised "youthquake" as the 2017 word of the year. The recognition has been granted since there was a fivefold increase in the use of the term between 2016-2017. The word introduced by Vogue editor Diana Vreeland 50 years ago, was first used to describe sudden changes in fashion, music and attitudes. The recent changes being referred to described young people driving political change. Oxford Dictionaries' Casper Grathwohl had said that the use of the word peaked during the June general election in the United Kingdom after polls delivered unexpected result for Labour party. It describes the surging youth support for Britain's Labour party and the election of 30-something leaders in France and New Zealand. Every year the Oxford dictionary releases a word from the English language on the basis of the usage of the word.

'Youthquake': Oxford Dictionaries' word of 2017

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