A study revealed that the protection provided by the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 does not decline, even if there is a longer interval between the first and second doses. The immune response is of the same strength, and in some cases better, with a 45-week gap between the first and second doses compared to the standard interval, according to researchers from the University of Oxford, which developed the vaccine in collaboration with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company.
Andrew Pollard, a professor of infection and immunity in children and the chief researcher in the trial conducted by the University of Oxford, stated, "This should be reassuring news for countries with fewer vaccine supplies that may be concerned about delays in administering second doses to their populations.” Pollard further explained, "There is an excellent response to the second dose, even after a delay of 10 months from the first."
It is noted that the study has not yet undergone peer review by other researchers. The researchers also studied the impact of administering a third dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on the protection it provides at least six months after the second dose.
