Oxford University vaccine looks promising in the battle against covid-19

The vaccine against covid-19 of the Jenner Institute of Oxford University, in collaboration with the Italian biotech company Irbm of Pomezia, "induced a strong immune and antibody response until the 56th day of the ongoing trial". 

The results were published in the scientific journal Lancet. These are preliminary results in reference to phase 1 and 2 testing involving 1,077 healthy adults, but Oxford has already started phase 3 testing.

As the epidemic has declined in the UK, testing is on- going mainly in Brazil.

However, it is still too early to claim victory, warned Italain Health Minister Roberto Speranza: "We still need time and caution. But the first scientific findings on the vaccine from the University of Oxford, whose viral vector is made in Pomezia, are encouraging. Italy, with Germany, France and Holland, is in the leading group for this experimentation. We continue to invest in scientific research as the key to defeating the virus".

Also, the World Health Organisation mentioned the tests as "good news" and the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the results "very positive".

Also read: 

• UK study shows that covid-19 antibodies decrease over a three-month period

However, scientists call for caution, stressing that "further clinical studies should be conducted on this prototype vaccine". The current results, they say, are in fact focused on the immune response measured in the laboratory and "further tests are necessary to confirm whether the vaccine actually protects against Covid-19 infection".