Oxford vaccine gives less protection for COVID variant

Early trials suggest that the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine offers "minimal protection" against the South Africa strain of coronavirus.

BBC News reports a new study, not yet peer-reviewed, involved about 2,000 people who were on average 31-years-old.

But Professor Sarah Gilbert who is the Oxford lead vaccine developer told the BBC that the vaccines should still protect against severe disease.

She said developers were likely to have a modified Oxford vaccine to combat the South African strain of the virus.

[Source: BBC]