The new Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine is breaking news due to the COVID 19 pandemic. First approved on the 30tDecember 2020, people are becoming more hopeful that we can get back to normality quicker than originally expected. Even though this vaccine is not as effective as the Pfizer/BioNTech jab which is an astonishing 95% effective, people hoped that it would be rolled out as soon as possible so that high risk and elderly people could be more mobile during these times and perhaps even get to mix with family at some point. The Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine was approved just after Christmas and the first vaccination was given on 4 January 2021. We also have the new Moderna vaccine which was approved on 8 January.

The Oxford vaccine will be offered to 13 million by mid-February and the first person ever to receive it was Brian Pinker who is 82 years old. 100 million doses have been ordered by the UK government and over 80s will be the first to receive it. Like the Pfizer vaccine, this is given out in two doses and once you have been given the two jabs the vaccine is approximately 62% effective which is highly effective, and it can be stored at a normal fridge temperature so doesn’t take as much preparation as the Pfizer vaccine. It is also made in Britain which means its easier to give to people in the UK and it is cheaper than the other vaccines.

How do vaccines work?

So, you may be wondering, after hearing all about them on the news, how do vaccines really work?

Our bodies produce antibodies when harmful pathogens enter and the part of a pathogen that triggers the production of the antibodies (by the body’s immune system) are called antigens. To be protected against a specific disease or virus, we need the body to produce these antibodies so that we don’t fall ill and that’s where vaccines come in!

Antibodies will only work for a certain disease or illness and probably won’t be effective against other pathogens unless they are very similar to them. Since there are many forms of coronavirus existing today, we can use the most similar virus to COVID-19, that the body has already become susceptible to and modify it to look like the coronavirus. It will be a weaker or dead version of either the virus that is like COVID-19 or a weakened form of the disease itself. It is then injected into the body and this tricks the body’s immune system and stimulates the production of an antibody so that next time the real virus enters the body these antibodies will fight against it. This is what makes vaccines successful in reducing the number of cases of a disease.

The way scientists have made this particular vaccine is by taking coronavirus protein genes and putting them in a virus that will not cause harm to people. It is then injected into the body and the protein starts being produced hence fighting the virus along with antibodies.

How many vaccines are being rolled out? What are the stats and how does this vaccine differ from the others?

From 4 January 2021, 530,000 doses of the Oxford vaccine were ready to dish out from six hospital trusts in England and these doses are being sent to care homes and small GP offices. The government has already ordered 100 million doses to vaccinate care home and hospital workers, nurses and doctors and over 80s as soon as possible. It is said that 40 million doses will be given out by March so this is good progress.

STATS: (Oxford and Pfizer in general)

·       Tens of millions to be vaccinated by spring 2021.

·       200,000 people being vaccinated daily.

·       2.4 million have already received it.

·       40% of 80-year-olds already have it.

·       23% of people living in care homes have received it.

·       It is still important to socially distance from other people even if you have been given the vaccine.

·       None of the vaccines contain meat or animal products.

·       The NHS have said to the public not to request a vaccine appointment unless they have been contacted for one so please be optimistic and remain hopeful, they are doing their best.

 

I hope this article has helped summarise the current vaccine situation and hopefully more news about the Moderna vaccine will come soon!