Oxford University research third dose Covid booster options for teenagers

Researchers running the Oxford University-led 'Com-Cov' programme which mixes and matches different Covid vaccine combinations and schedules, have launched a new study with a focus on assessing different options for a booster vaccine for young people.

This new stage of the study – which hops to enrol 380 volunteers – is funded entirely by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

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All participants will have two-doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, at least three months before joining. Researchers will deliver a third vaccine dose as part of the study.

Matthew Snape, Professor in paediatrics and vaccinology at the University of Oxford, and chief investigator of the trial, said: "This study builds on the important results from previous Com-Cov and Cov-boost studies, which have directly informed the national and international use of mixed Covid-19 vaccine schedules. These studies have included teenagers receiving the first two vaccine doses.

"A key question for teenagers now is how well they respond to different options for a third dose of vaccine. This includes giving a lower dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or a protein-based vaccine produced by Novavax. If these can be shown to produce a strong immune response with fewer temporary side effects, then this could improve the acceptability and uptake of a third dose adolescent campaign, both in the UK and internationally."

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All participants will be randomly allocated to receive either a full adult dose, one-third adult dose or full child dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or a full dose of the Novavax vaccine.

A control group will receive a meningitis vaccine (Bexsero, against MenB bacteria) followed by a Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine later in the study.

The study is single-blind and randomised. This means participants will not know what third dose vaccine they are receiving until three months after their vaccine dose.

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Researchers will analyse any side effects and immune system responses to these new combinations of vaccines. They will also examine if a one-third adult dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is at least as good as a full child dose of the same vaccine.

Covid scientist Prof Andrew Ustianowski of the National Institute for Health and Care Research said: "Thousands of volunteers are still stepping forward for a number of vaccine booster studies, two years on since we began to recruit into the first Covid-19 vaccine studies. Their time, support and generosity have been immense and helps us build upon the science of vaccine combinations."

The study investigators anticipate reporting initial results in 2022.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Rebecca Whittaker, she joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Rebecca covers education and news in Abingdon and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Rebecca.Whittaker@newquest.co.uk or calling 07824524333

Follow her on Twitter @RebecWhitt

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