The first COVID-19 vaccine is about to enter the phase 1 clinical experiment, shows emphatic results

The first COVID-19 vaccine is about to enter the phase 1 clinical experiment, shows emphatic results

 The first COVID-19 vaccine to enter phase I clinical experiment is secure, well-tolerated, and capable of producing an immune response against the new coronavirus in humans, says new research.

According to the study of 108 grown-ups, the vaccine generated neutralizing antibodies, and a response mediated by the immune system's T-cells against the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. However, scientists, including those from the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology in China told more research is required to confirm whether the vaccine defends humans against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

 In the trial, taken out in 108 healthy grown-ups, the vaccine displayed hopeful results after 28 days, with the final results to be evaluated in six months, the study said. "These results represent an important milestone. The trial demonstrates that a single dose of the new adenovirus type 5 vectored COVID-19 (Ad5-nCoV) vaccine generates virus-specific antibodies and T cells in 14 days," said study co-author Wei Chen from the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology.

 Based on the results, Chen said the vaccine is a potential candidate for further research. However, the researchers advised that the results should be performed carefully. "The challenges in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine are unprecedented, and the ability to trigger these immune responses does not necessarily indicate that the vaccine will protect humans from COVID-19," Chen described.

After 28 days most members had a four-fold improvement in binding antibodies. The scientists also added that half of the members in the low- and middle-dose groups, and three-quarters of those in the high-dose group displayed neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Citing the main difficulties of the trial, the authors said the study had a small sample size and was handled in a relatively short duration, with a shortage of randomized control group. They said more research will be required before this trial vaccine becomes available to all.

"Our study found the pre-existing Ad5 immunity could slow down the rapid immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and also lower the peaking level of the responses," said Feng-Cai Zhu from the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China, who guided the research.