The third dose of the Covid vaccine is being tested in the UK

Wednesday 19 May 2021 – 9:30 pm

The third dose of the Covid vaccine is being tested in the UK

Of 2,886 volunteers who received two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca

ROME, May 19 (Askanews) – Testing of the third dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the UK begins. The trial includes nearly 3,000 volunteers and aims to verify “booster” doses to protect themselves from new variants and prevent a possible new wave of infections this winter, also due to the already low antibodies in vaccines. This was announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

The study, called Cov-Boost, is “the first in the world” on the effect of a third dose on patients’ immune responses, and will look at the effect of giving an additional dose of one of the seven different vaccines to 2,886 participants in the UK who have already received two doses of the Pfizer / vaccine BioNTech or Oxford / AstraZeneca.

In addition to Pfizer and Astrazeneca, Moderna vaccine, which has already been approved, Janssen and Novavax which are in the approval phase, and two vaccines in phase three trials, CureVac (mRna vaccine) and Valneva, which uses killing a Sars-CoV-2-virus to stimulate a response immune system.

In addition to looking at the level of protection provided by a third dose, the study will also look at any side effects resulting from a booster dose. The results will be used by the Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization which is an independent expert advisory committee (JCVI) to decide whether a booster dose is needed and which vaccines are most appropriate for this use. The British minister said the results would be announced in the fall. (Written by Giovanna Turbini).

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