Study finds delay in doses of AstraZeneca vaccine boosts immunity – Press Release

• Study says an interval of up to 45 weeks between first and second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine led to an enhanced immune response.
• Investigator says findings should come as reassuring news to countries with lower supplies of the vaccine.
• Oxford study indicates that side effects from vaccine in general were “well tolerated”.

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LONDON: A study by Oxford University  has found that delaying the second and third doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine can boost immunity against COVID-19.

An interval of up to 45 weeks between the first and second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine led to an enhanced immune response, rather than compromising immunity, the study said.

Giving a third dose of the jab more than six months after the second dose also leads to a “substantial increase” in antibodies and induces a “strong boost” to subjects’ immune response, said the pre-print study, meaning that it has yet to be peer-reviewed.

“This should come as reassuring news to countries with lower supplies of the vaccine, who may be concerned about delays in providing second doses to their populations,” said lead investigator of the Oxford trial, Andrew Pollard.

Read more: AstraZeneca vaccine effective against COVID-19 variants identified in India

“There is an excellent response to a second dose, even after a 10-month delay from the first.”

The researchers said the results for a delayed AstraZeneca third dose were positive, particularly as nations with advanced vaccination programmes consider whether third booster shots will be required to prolong immunity.

“It is not known if booster jabs will be needed due to waning immunity or to augment immunity against variants of concern,” said the study’s lead senior author, Teresa Lambe.

She explained the research showed the AstraZeneca jab “is well tolerated and significantly boosts the antibody response.”

Lambe added results were encouraging “if we find that a third dose is needed”.

Read more: UK in talks with AstraZeneca to get extra shots for combating ‘beta’ COVID-19 variant

The development of the jab, which is being administered in 160 countries, has been hailed as a milestone in efforts against the pandemic because of its relatively low cost and ease of transportation.

However, confidence in the jab, as with the vaccine developed by the US firm Johnson & Johnson, has been hampered by concerns over links to very rare but serious blood clots in a handful of cases.

A number of nations have suspended the use of the vaccine as a result or restricted its use by younger groups who are less at risk from COVID.

The Oxford study indicated that side effects from the vaccine in general were “well tolerated” with “lower incidents of side effects after second and third doses than after first doses”.

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