University of Oxford tests COVID-19 vaccine's effect in children

The University of Oxford has launched a study to evaluate for the first time the safety and immune response of the COVID-19 vaccine that it developed with AstraZeneca in children.

The new mid-term trial will determine if the vaccine is effective for people between the ages of six and 17, according to a university statement on Saturday.

About 300 volunteers will be enrolled and the first vaccinations are expected this month, Oxford said.

Up to 240 subjects will receive the vaccine, while the rest will receive a control agent.

Andrew Pollard, professor of pediatric infection and immunity and lead researcher on the Oxford vaccine trial, said: “Although most children are relatively unaffected by the coronavirus, and it probably does not go bad with the infection, it is important to ensure safety and immune response to determine the vaccine in children and adolescents, as some children may benefit from vaccination. ”

The two-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was considered a "vaccine for the world" because it is cheaper and easier to distribute than some competitors.

AstraZeneca aims to produce three billion doses this year and plans to produce more than 200 million doses per month by April.