Pfizer coronavirus vaccine approved for 12 to 15 year olds
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Co-chief investigator, Professor Duanchie from the University of Oxford, found that a wider gap between both Pfizer jabs (longer than three weeks) produced a higher proportion of helper T-cells, which supports immune memory. The Pitch study involved researchers comparing the immune responses of 503 NHS staff who received two shots of the Pfizer jab at different intervals. Infection-fighting antibodies were then measured one month after the second jab.
The Pitch study’s results
Firstly, no matter the interval period between both doses of the Pfizer jab, the vaccine generated a strong immune response.
Secondly, a three-week interval between both jabs generated fewer neutralising antibodies than a 10-week interval.
Neutralising antibodies can bind to the virus and stop it from infecting cells within the body.
Thirdly, the level of T-cells (a type of immune cell) remained high after the first dose.
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And fourthly, a longer time interval between vaccines produced a higher proportion of helper T-cells that support immune memory.
Professor Duanchie clarified that “eight weeks is about the sweet spot”.
“I can’t see this virus disappearing,” she warned. “So you want to balance that against getting the best protection you can.”
Co-author of the government funded research project, Dr Rebecca Payne said the evidence is “reassuring”.
“Our study provides reassuring evidence that both dosing schedules generate robust immune responses against Sars-CoV-2 [COVID-19] after two doses,” Dr Payne stated.
Follow-up studies are now needed to “understand the full clinical significance of [the] findings”.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi commented on the study – yet to be peer reviewed.
“The findings from this latest Pitch study are hugely significant not just for the UK but for the world.”
Such research is said to help us “better understand the mechanics behind our immune response to COVID-19”.
The findings support the move taken by Government to shorten vaccine dosing interval from 12 to eight weeks.
This decision was originally based on the advice by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI).
“This latest study provides further evidence that this interval results in a strong immune response and supports our decision,” said Zahawi.
According to the Government’s latest report there has been more than 46 million people who have received their first dose of the vaccine.
The number of people who have received their second dose is now nearing 37 million.
At present, the number of people testing positive for Covid is increasing rapidly.
However, there is a very small incline in the number of patients dying from the disease.
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