Omicron: Dr Hopkins discusses AstraZeneca's protection
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The first stage, after the vaccine was administered was that the vaccine attracted a protein in the blood called platelet factor 4.
In the second stage, this caused a rare reaction where the immune system mistakenly thought platelet factor 4 was the virus and released antibodies to attack it.
In the third stage, these antibodies grouped together with the platelet factor 4, resulting in blood clots.
Scientists who took part in the study believe that the genesis of the fault begins with the adenovirus.
The adenovirus is what delivers the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Responding to the research, AstraZeneca, who also took part in the investigation, says that the results are not final.
Of the 50 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine administered in the UK, there have been 73 cases of clots.
Despite the deaths, the AstraZeneca vaccine is rumoured to have saved around 1,000,000 lives.
Recently, the decision to accelerate the booster programme.
This has been controversial as the Government has been encouraged to bring back stricter measures on gatherings and social distancing.
Instead, their main winter weapon of choice is the booster programme, a move that will be crucial ahead of a difficult winter for many.
Amidst this was good news for young people eager to get vaccinated.
From Wednesday, all adults over the age of 18 will be able to book their booster jab if they had their second dose more than three months ago.
This comes just a few days after over-30s were given the go-ahead to book jabs – a move that has gone viral as people search for their nearest vaccination centre.
From today too, new working from home guidance (part of Plan B) was brought in.
People should now work from home if they can.
What’s next for the AstraZeneca vaccine?
The Cardiff end of the team say they hope their research can be used to improve vaccines that also use the adenovirus.
The vaccine continues to be administered alongside the Pfizer and Moderna jabs; each part of the fight to prevent another lockdown.
Something that seems ever more likely if case numbers, hospital admissions and sadly deaths, continue to rise.
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