Small Test Study: New Chinese Vaccine Increases Protection Against Covid-19

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Developed by Chinese researchers, a new Covid-19 vaccine project has yielded promising results reported in a study published in the prestigious The Lancet scientific journal. The vaccine was tested on 108 people, split into three groups, and produced a “significant” increase of antibodies against the novel coronavirus, according to the researchers.

The study is signed by 21 Chinese researchers and provides data on both safety and improved immunity against Covid-19, based on human patient testing. Most patients reported no severe reaction.

The number of antibodies against the novel coronavirus increased in the body of immunized patients after 14 days and peaked after 28 days.

The vaccine caused reactions in the majority of subjects in the first seven days after its application. The reported side effects included pain, fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. Those who received the highest dose of the vaccine had the least reactions.

Nevertheless, more than 70 percent of the subjects in this group reported side effects. In all research groups, reactions were low or moderate. The average age of participants was 36 (they were 18 to 60 years old and had never contracted Covid-19).

Although the group that was administered the highest dose showed the best response in antibody production, the patients also had stronger-than-average adverse reactions, with severe cases of fever, fatigue, dyspnea, muscle pain, and joint pain.

The vaccine developed in China uses a recombinant of adenovirus type 5, targeting Covid-19 to help the human body develop defenses against infection with the novel coronavirus. The researchers state in the new study that the reactions presented by patients are similar to those reported by subjects in a study with an adenovirus type 5-based vaccine that tested its safety and efficacy against the Ebola virus.

Worldwide, there are approximately 100 vaccines in trials and 200 drugs analyzed to fight the novel coronavirus.

Source: Exame