AstraZeneca
For the time being, only the Oxford vaccine is certain to become available in Europe if the results are good. The Oxford researchers use a non-replicating vector: an innocent virus that is used as a means of transport to introduce a small piece of genetic code for a corona protein into the body, after which the body starts to produce this corona protein itself. When it works it can trigger a strong immune response. The method is still experimental, although it has proven itself in an Ebola vaccine.
AstraZeneca expects the vaccine to protect for a year. The Oxford vaccine does not yet seem to be the super vaccine that completely clears the virus. After testing on monkeys, the virus was found to be present in the nose, but not to the lungs. According to Van Els, it is still too early to draw conclusions. “It could be, for example, that for a part of the population it is a vaccine of the better category.” The results of the first human study will be published Monday.
In the meantime, AstraZeneca has already started producing the vaccine on various continents, in case it turns out to work well. In addition to the European countries, there are also deals with the United States and the United Kingdom. It also comes onto the market where it is produced.
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