Trials Of Front-Runner Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Paused After Adverse Reaction In A Participant: Report

In a major development in the global fight against COVID-19, one of the front-runners in the vaccine development, AstraZeneca has paused a late-stage trial of its vaccine after a suspected adverse reaction in a study participant, reports Hindustan Times.

AstraZeneca is developing its vaccine in a collaboration with the University of Oxford and is in the midst of its late-stage study of the vaccine at various sites globally, including in the United Kingdom (UK) where the case is said to have emerged.

According to a Stat News report, AstraZeneca's spokesperson has stated that the “standard review process triggered a pause to vaccination to allow the review of safety data.” However, the statement by the spokesperson also reasoned, "in large trials, illnesses will happen by chance but must be independently reviewed to check this carefully."

Meanwhile, it should be noted that the report also mentioned that the affected participant is likely to recover, even though the details about the nature of the case have not yet been put out.

The spokesperson described the pause as “a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials, while it is investigated, ensuring we maintain the integrity of the trials.” The spokesperson also said that the company is “working to expedite the review of the single event to minimize any potential impact on the trial timeline.