Phase 1 in the research of a vaccine that is tested on humans mainly concerns whether the vaccine is harmful. However, according to researcher Wei Chen of the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, one of the co-authors of the first report, says the results can be described as "an important milestone".

The trial included 108 people, none of whom were infected by the sars-cov-2 virus. The experimental group aged 18 to 60 years was injected with different doses of the vaccine designated ad5-ncov. The results came 28 days after the vaccination, and further evaluations should be done with a final review of the six-month trial.

Carefully interpreted

The participants come from corona-affected Wuhan in China, and all participated voluntarily.

The research team notes that the vaccine produced virus-specific antibodies and so-called T cells, a type of white blood cell, within 14 days. Thus, the vaccine is a "possible candidate for further investigation" according to Professor Wei Chen.

-But the results must be interpreted with caution. The challenges of developing a covid-19 vaccine are unparalleled, and (the trial) demonstrating that the immune system is activated does not necessarily mean that the vaccine protects people against covid-19, says Wei Chen in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet.

Further research and trials are needed to see if the immune system created by the vaccine effectively protects against SARS-cov-2 infections.

Long way left

The first attempt on humans shows that the side effects were few. Pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain were some of the side effects.

An effective vaccine is considered the long-term solution to control the covid-19 pandemic. Research is currently being conducted on more than 100 possible vaccines around the world, writes The Lancet.

Although the first results are positive, Professor Wei Chen is very cautious:

-The results show a positive opportunity for the development of a covid-19 vaccine. But we are still a long way from making this vaccine available to everyone.