Oxford-Astra Covid-19 vaccine shows dual immune action, says researcher

The AstraZeneca Plc Covid-19 vaccine increased levels of both protective neutralizing antibodies and immune T-cells that target the virus, according to the study organizers.

A coronavirus vaccine the University of Oxford is developing with AstraZeneca Plc showed promising results in early human testing, a sign of progress in the high-stakes pursuit of a shot to defeat the pathogen.

A health worker sanitizes the doorway as doctors come out from a Covid-19 care centre functioning in an indoor stadium in New Delhi on Monday. (AP Photo)

The vaccine increased levels of both protective neutralizing antibodies and immune T-cells that target the virus, according to the study organizers. The results were published Monday in The Lancet medical journal.

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“We are seeing very good immune responses, not just on neutralizing antibodies but of T-cells as well,” said Adrian Hill, head of Oxford’s Jenner Institute, in an interview. “We’re stimulating both arms of the immune system.”

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The results will be closely scrutinized as governments around the world seek to end a pandemic that’s killed more than 600,000 people and triggered economic turmoil since erupting earlier this year. Moderna Inc., another front-runner, released results last week from an early-stage test that showed its vaccine raised levels of antibodies that fight the virus.