Production Begins on a Coronavirus Vaccine Candidate with a Target of 2 Billion Doses

The vaccine candidate developed by researchers at Oxford University against coronavirus has entered production with sponsorship from AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical company. Before going into the details of the news, let us revisit this promising vaccine developed by scientists:

The coronavirus vaccine candidate previously known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is now called AZD1222. It is a vaccine that uses a weakened form of an adenovirus (ChAdOx1) that causes upper respiratory tract infections. With its genetic characteristics modified, it causes infection in chimpanzees but does not show the ability to grow in the human body. This virus used for the vaccine has also been given the genetic codes needed to produce the protein displayed on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and playing an important role in causing infection: S protein. The aim is for immune system cells to recognize the S protein and generate a response, thereby preventing the virus from entering cells and causing infection.

In an interview with the BBC about the coronavirus vaccine candidate still under investigation, AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said: ‘The decision we have made carries many risks. If the vaccine does not produce the expected results, all our production and investment will be wasted. However, we must take this risk. We want to move as quickly as possible. Our aim is that, when the study results arrive, 2 billion vaccines will be ready for use’.

In its agreement with the Serum Institute of India, AstraZeneca also promised that 1 billion doses would be provided to middle-income countries. The initial aim is to supply countries with 400 million doses before the end of 2020. Stating that a series of supply chains was being built around the world, Soriot said: ‘Our main aim is for the vaccine to be available for use throughout the world. In addition to middle-income countries, we will supply 300 million vaccine doses to the United States, 100 million vaccine doses to the United Kingdom. We expect the first deliveries to begin in September’, sharing the good news.

It is a very exciting development that this vaccine candidate, which offers hope in treating coronavirus—a global problem disrupting many areas of life—will be made available to all humanity. We will continue to follow vaccine studies closely and keep you informed.

*

The infographic poster below shows, first, how we develop immunity to coronavirus without a vaccine (active immunization), then how we develop immunity through a vaccine (passive immunization), followed by a summary of the methods being tested to develop a coronavirus vaccine:

Manage preferences to view external content

Manage preferences to view external content

*

- ALL OUR CORONAVIRUS ARTICLES -

*

Manage preferences to view external content