Oxford Coronavirus vaccine trials produce robust immune response in old age groups, finds report

Early results from tests for a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by University of Oxford, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, shows it produces a robust immune response in elderly people, the group at highest risk, according to a report in Financial Times on Monday.

According to the report, it has been discovered that coronavirus vaccine triggers protective antibodies and T-cells in older age groups. It cited two people familiar with the finding, encouraging researchers as they seek evidence that it will spare those in later life from serious illness or death from the virus.

The latest finding supports the data released in July 2020 which showed the vaccine generated "robust immune responses" in a group of healthy adults aged between 18 and 55. It cited people aware of the results from so-called immunogenicity blood tests.

However, the newspaper cautioned that positive immunogenicity tests do not guarantee that the vaccine will ultimately prove safe and effective in old age people.

Details of the recent finding are expected to be published shortly in a clinical journal, the Financial Times said