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No time like now for my first thread! Thought I would give my take on the COVID-19 vaccines that have published results for human trials. And as everyone loves a ‘best of’ list, here is my top 4...
4. Ad5-nCOV. CanSino. Well they got to Phase I & Phase II first. However neutralising antibody (NAbs) levels somewhat underwhelming. Decent T cell response, safety (relatively) good. With no idea of level of immunity required for protection, can& #39;t be written off just yet...
3. AZD1222. AstraZeneca/Oxford Uni. The pre-sales have been great, hope it works! Phase I outcomes fine but immunogenicity not as impressive as vaccines to come. Animal data OK but not overly compelling, and some minor issues with tolerability. Let& #39;s see what phase III tells us..
2. mRNA-1273. Moderna. I was not betting on the mRNA vaccines, but impressive immunogenicity so far. NAbs levels above that of serum from recovered COVID patients. Vaccine does seem to hurt a bit though (some side effects), a necessary trade off for a protective vaccine?
1. BNT162b1. BioNTech/Pfizer. Ticking most boxes. High NAbs. Most comprehensive analysis of T cell immunity (including both CD4, CD8, cytokine secretion). Side effects not trivial, could be an mRNA thing?
I do feel the big guns are yet to roll out however, still waiting on (published) data from the traditional approches with a proven track record, such as inactivated vaccines (Sinovac) and protein + vaccine (e.g. Novavax). Plus Sinovac got in early with the best name, Coronavac!
