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Vaccine Updates
How are vaccines tested?
In the pre-clinical stage of testing, researchers give the vaccine to animals to see if it triggers an immune response.
In phase 1 of clinical testing, the vaccine is given to a small group of people to determine whether it is safe and to learn more about the immune response it provokes.
In phase 2, the vaccine is given to hundreds of people so scientists can learn more about its safety and correct dosage.
In phase 3, the vaccine is given to thousands of people to confirm its safety – including rare side effects – and effectiveness. These trials involve a control group which is given a placebo.
Recent vaccine news
- Development of the University of Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine has been put on hold due to an adverse reaction in a trial participant.
- The WHO has said it doesn’t expect widespread vaccinations against coronavirus until mid-2021.
- Russian health authorities have approved a coronavirus vaccine which has yet to complete clinical trials.