What is the Oxford Covid vaccine and when can I get it?
THE Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is expected to be a "game-changer" in Britain's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
The jab was approved by regulators and rolled out from January 4 - but how soon could you get it?
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What is the Oxford Covid vaccine?
Developed by top scientists at Oxford University in collaboration with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, the Oxford Covid vaccine has an “overall efficacy” of 70.4 per cent against the virus.
In the first trials of the Oxford vaccine, the jab was found to be 62 per cent effective overall, but in a smaller group given a half-dose first, protection went up to 90 per cent.
The Oxford Covid vaccine uses a harmless, weakened version of a common virus which causes a cold in chimpanzees.
Researchers have already used this technology to produce vaccines against a number of pathogens including flu, Zika and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers).
The virus is genetically modified so that it is impossible for it to grow in humans.
Scientists have transferred the genetic instructions for coronavirus's specific "spike protein" - which it needs to invade cells - to the vaccine.
When the vaccine enters cells inside the body, it uses this genetic code to produce the surface spike protein of the coronavirus.
This induces an immune response, priming the immune system to attack coronavirus if it infects the body.
The Oxford vaccine is seen as a game changer in the fight against Covid and the UK government has already bought 100million doses of the vaccine.
Unlike the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which costs about £15 a jab and must be kept at -70C, the Oxford vaccine costs a little under £3 and can be kept at normal fridge temperature.
This means it will be easier to deliver and administer the jab across the country.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak sounded an optimistic note on Boxing Day 2020 as he predicted the vaccine will finally give the UK a road out of its Covid misery after billions were spent to ensure a smooth rollout.
He said: “There is light at the end of the tunnel with this vaccine.
“I’m confident if we all pitch in together we will get through this as we have done through this year, and we can look forward to a brighter future."
When was it approved in the UK?
The vaccine was approved by MHRA regulators on Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
Thousands of medics across the country have already begun to administer the Oxford jab now it's been given the go-ahead.
Brian Pinker, 82, a dialysis patient who describes himself as "Oxford born and bred", became the first person in the world to get the jab on January 4.
Also among the first to have the vaccine since it was approved for use was Professor Andrew Pollard, who is the director of the Oxford vaccine group.
Ten thousand medics and volunteers have been recruited by the NHS to help deliver the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine.
In anticipation, mass vaccination centres at sports stadia and conference venues are primed.
Who can have the Oxford vaccine?
The Sun understands the government could overhaul the priority list now that the new UK vaccine has been given the go-ahead.
Teachers and some key workers will be eligible for injections, currently only given to the elderly, clinically vulnerable and health and care home workers.
Hundreds of pop-up GP-led centres are on the way as part of the huge vaccination drive to get the country back up and running by the Spring.
Like the Pfizer jab, pregnant women, children, and those with relevant allergies, will not receive the vaccine.
When can I get the Oxford Covid vaccine?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has drawn up a list of who are the first in line for the vaccine.
The first group to be vaccinated are residents in care homes and their carers, followed by over-80s and frontline health and social care workers.
Brits over the age of 70 will then receive the jab, followed by 16-64 year olds with serious underlying health conditions.
After these groups have been vaccinated, the jab will be available for over-60s.
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It is hoped that after vulnerable groups receive the vaccine, groups which are less at-risk of serious complications, including under-50s, will receive the jab.
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Some 15 million people are expected to be jabbed by February, and 24 million by Easter.
You can check when you will receive the vaccine using this handy online calculator.