The Oxford-AstraZeneca company is not letting new variants grow under its feet, despite the UK vaccination roll out. Prof Andy Pollard from Oxford University told national broadcaster BBC an updated version would be ready by autumn. The Oxford vaccine is already squaring up to the new variants, he explained and it would be a ‘relatively quick progress’.
This is Essential Because There Is Always Room for Improvements
Prof Andy Pollard knows he needs to be ahead of the game in the uncertain world of viruses. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine performed well in trials when he was chief investigator. And further research suggests it will be as effective on the ground, including against the new UK Kent strain.
However, it’s likely COVID vaccines will need replenishing, perhaps after three-to-six-months initially as their effectiveness wanes. It’s quite likely the virus will have continued mutating by then. Therefore Oxford-AstraZeneca is continuing research in order to be prepared.
But Squaring Up Oxford Vaccine Against New Variants Will Be Faster
Prof Andy Pollard does not anticipate a long verification period. That’s because the tweaks should be relatively minor, and only ‘small trials’ will be necessary prior to approval. However, the South African variant already circulating in UK is a wild card. That in itself is sufficient reason not to let up on the pressure.
The prof confirmed he was ‘already looking at updating the vaccine to make it more effective against the mutations appearing’. He believes the redesigning process could be ‘very, very quick. Because it’s essentially just switching out the genetic sequence for the spike protein,’ he explained.
Squaring up the Oxford vaccine against new variants could become as routine, as the next generation of influenza shots. This could take the form of an annual, updated booster to maintain our level of immunity.
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Preview Image: COVID-19 Vaccination Program
