Readers can vote in our poll on whether they would take the coronavirus jab. It comes as the University of Oxford is expected to release data on the effectiveness of its vaccine in the coming weeks.
The latest trial results suggest the jab produces a strong immune response in older adults.
Dr Maheshi Ramasamy, an investigator at the Oxford Vaccine Group and consultant physician, said: “Older adults are a priority group for Covid-19 vaccination because they are at increased risk of severe disease, but we know that they tend to have poorer vaccine responses.
“We were pleased to see that our vaccine was not only well-tolerated in older adults, but also stimulated similar immune responses to those seen in younger volunteers.
“The next step will be to see if this translates into protection from the disease itself.”
The UK has ordered 100 million doses of the jab – enough to vaccinate most of the population – should it receive regulatory approval.
Meanwhile, Pfizer and BioNTech have announced that their vaccine candidate has shown 95 percent efficacy, with a 94 percent effectiveness in those aged 65 and over.
The UK has bought 40 million doses of the jab.
READ MORE: COVID vaccine: Two jabs producing ‘exciting’ results
Dr Michael Tildesley, who sits on a Sage sub-group, warned of some “reluctance” in the general public over a new vaccine.
But he insisted it is important there is high uptake as soon as a vaccine jab becomes available.
Dr Tildesley told BBC Breakfast: “We do know that among some people there has been a bit of reluctance to have a vaccine, given the speed of development.
“I would say that it is really important that we get a large, high level of uptake when it is available so we can reach herd immunity, that’s really crucial at this point.”
The timetable for developing and approving a coronavirus vaccine has been condensed due to the coronavirus crisis.
But speaking during a Downing Street briefing earlier this month, England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said the standards are “no lower” because this is a public health emergency.
British regulators said the safety of the public always come first.
Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA, told the November 11 briefing: “A Covid-19 vaccine will only be approved once it has met robust standards of effectiveness, safety and quality.”
