The coronavirus vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) is safe and triggers a similar immune response among all adults, according to the preliminary findings of a peer-reviewed phase two trial.
The promising early-stage results were published Thursday in The Lancet, one of the world’s top medical journals.
The study of 560 healthy adults, including 240 over age 70, found the vaccine to be safe and produced a similar immune response among people age over 56 and those ages 18 to 55.
Older people face a "significant risk" of developing severe illness on contracting Covid-19, the World Health Organization has said, citing decreased immune function and potential underlying health conditions. People of all ages are at risk of contracting the virus, however.
Huge challenges remain before a vaccine can be rolled out. The global battle to secure prospective supplies has raised alarm about equitable access, while questions remain over logistics, distribution, and cost.
The Oxford vaccine candidate was found to cause few side effects and triggered immune responses in parts of the immune system in all age groups and at low and standard doses.
AZN shares deleted a penny to $53.98,
