The AstraZeneca vaccine is one of the most anticipated. Photo / AP file
The AstraZeneca vaccine is one of the most anticipated. Photo / AP file
AstraZeneca has put its trial of a Covid-19 vaccine on pause after a suspected serious adverse reaction in a study participant, health news website Stat News reports.
It quoted an AstraZeneca spokesperson as saying in a statement that the "standard review process triggered a pause to vaccination to allow reviewof safety data."
The highly anticipated vaccine candidate being developed by Oxford University is in the late-stage phase three trials.
Everybody breathe: There are always bumps in the road in vaccine development. It's essential when a possible adverse event is seen to investigate. That's what's being done here. #Covid19https://t.co/H6JQx4Zluk
It's unclear what the exact nature of the reaction was, but a person familiar with the matter told Stat News that the person is expected to recover.
Trial holds are not uncommon.
It is still a setback to hopes for a vaccine to be ready in the coming months. The AstraZeneca project was considered by the World Health Organisation to be the leading option worldwide.
Other key candidates are being developed by Pfizer, and Moderna.
