(Reuters) – The University of Oxford has launched a study to assess the safety and immune response of the COVID-19 vaccine developed with AstraZeneca Plc in children for the first time, it said on Saturday.
According to an emailed statement from the university, the new mid-stage trial will determine whether the vaccine is effective on people between the ages of 6 and 17.
Around 300 volunteers will be enrolled, and first vaccinations are expected this month, Oxford said.
The two-dose Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been hailed as a “vaccine for the world” because it is cheaper and easier to distribute than some rivals.
AstraZeneca aims to produce 3 billion doses this year and aims to make over 200 million doses per month by April.
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