Oxford University launches a study of the AZ partnered COVID-19 vaccine in young adults and children

Oxford University has launched its first study of the AstraZeneca partnered COVID-19 vaccine in young adults and children aged 6-17. The Phase II trial will consist of three-hundred participants, with up to two-hundred and forty of the volunteers receiving the vaccine, known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or AZD1222, while the remainder will be provided with a control meningitis vaccine.

The trial will examine if the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 can produce an adequate immune response in young adults and children.

Chief investigator of the Oxford vaccine trial, Andrew Pollard, stated: “While most children are relatively unaffected by coronavirus and are unlikely to become unwell with the infection, it is important to establish the safety and immune response to the vaccine in children and young people as some children may benefit from vaccination. These new trials will extend our understanding of control of SARS-CoV2 to younger age groups.”