In the United Kingdom, thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in the largest study on the effectiveness of a third dose of a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Cov-Boost. The idea of boosting immunization against COVID-19 is that protection against new variants can be expanded, thus reducing the number of hospitalizations in the local health system.
In total, the study should include approximately 2,800 people who were fully vaccinated in the UK, i.e. those who have already received the second dose of formulas from Pfizer / BioNTech or Oxford / AstraZeneca will be able to participate. Now, the third application does not necessarily need to be the same as the other two and may still be a placebo, in case the participant is from the control group.
For people who will receive a third dose of the vaccine against COVID-19, the booster may be one of 7 immunoglobulins selected for the study. They are: Oxford / AstraZeneca; Pfizer / Bioetec; modern; Janssen. Novavax. Valneva. And CureVax. After the application, the volunteers will be tested to assess antibody levels and a possible increase in immunity (or not). Additionally, any side effects should also be monitored.
The third dose is a measure of the increase in the impact of COVID vaccines
The new study will look at the level of protection caused by a third dose of the vaccine. Then, the country’s Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) will use these findings – which are scheduled to be released by the end of August – to define new public policies for protection from COVID-19.
For example, a new vaccination campaign could start strengthening across the country, if the result is positive. As the different formulas are tested, the authorities will be able to choose the one that shows the best response in the analyzes.
However, it is worth noting that the study is not evidence of low levels of antibodies or that vaccines do not protect against new variants of the Coronavirus, the responsible researchers said.
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