| Tuesday, July 27, 2021 Caption: This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round gold objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222, when delivered into the nose of research hamsters and macaques infected with SARS-CoV-2, protected their lungs from disease and—most importantly—reduced virus shedding from the nose. NIAID researchers and colleagues published the work in Science Translational Medicine. Various COVID-19 vaccines in use are delivered into the arm and may not reduce virus shedding, which is believed to be the primary route of person-to-person virus transmission. University of Oxford's Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group developed AZD1222, which has been licensed to AstraZeneca and has been delivered to millions of people worldwide. The Jenner Institute has begun a clinical trial of intranasal AZD1222. Importantly, the SARS-CoV-2 virus used in the study was isolated in July 2020 and contained a spike protein mutation known as D614G. The mutation, now found in most SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating, appeared after development of COVID-19 vaccines now in clinical trials. The scientists noted in their study that AZD1222 provided robust protection despite the virus mutation, something they think will be consistent among other vaccines now in emergency use.  |
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