Immunogenicity and safety of AZD1222 (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) against SARS-CoV-2 in Japan: a double-blind, randomized controlled phase 1/2 trial

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases 2022-01, Vol.114, p.165-174
• Main Authors: Asano, Michiko, Okada, Hiroshi, Itoh, Yohji, Hirata, Hajime, Ishikawa, Kensuke, Yoshida, Erika, Matsui, Akiko, Kelly, Elizabeth J., Shoemaker, Kathryn, Olsson, Urban, Vekemans, Johan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; AZD1222; ChAdOx1 nCoV-19; ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 - adverse effects; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Double-Blind Method; Elderly adult; Humans; Humoral response; Japan; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.10.030

•All fully vaccinated participants had seroresponses to SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen.•The humoral immune response was comparable with other populations in previous studies.•AZD1222 was well tolerated in Japanese adult participants independent of age.•No apparent differences in safety profile were found compared with results of previous studies. Immunogenicity and safety of the AZD1222 (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine was evaluated in Japanese adults in an ongoing phase 1/2, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial (NCT04568031). Adults (n=256, age ≥18 years) seronegative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) were stratified by age into 18–55- (n=128), 56–69- (n=86) and ≥70-year-old cohorts (n=42), and randomized 3:1 to receive AZD1222 or placebo (two intramuscular injections 4 weeks apart). Immunogenicity and safety were coprimary endpoints. Data collected up to Day 57 are reported. Positive seroresponses to SARS-CoV-2 spike and receptor-binding domain antigens were seen in all 174 participants who received two doses of AZD1222. Neutralizing antibody seroresponses were seen in 67.5%, 60.3% and 50.0% of participants receiving AZD1222 aged 18–55, 56–69 and ≥70 years, respectively. Solicited adverse events (AEs) were typically mild/moderate in severity and included pain and tenderness at the injection site, malaise, fatigue, muscle pain and headache. Common unsolicited AEs included pain and tenderness at the injection site, fatigue and elevated body temperature. No vaccine-related serious AEs or deaths were reported. AZD1222 elicited a strong humoral immune response against SARS-CoV-2, and was well tolerated in Japanese participants, including elderly participants.