How Oxford Medical Sciences is fighting Coronavirus
Researchers from across the Medical Sciences Division are working hard to combat the COVID-19 crises. With particular strengths in infectious diseases and international health, we are well placed to contribute to better understanding and effectively controlling the epidemic. We have a long history of responding to crises, in the UK and around the world and are leaders in emergency vaccine development. During the 2014 Ebola outbreak, our scientists performed the world’s first human Ebola vaccine studies, starting them before any other university or company. Our researchers, in collaboration with partners across the globe, are working to develop an effective vaccine and drugs to target this virus, and have already introduced innovative public health measures and collaborative online tools that are being used in hospitals here and abroad.
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Coronavirus-related news from across the Medical Sciences Division
COVID-19 increased public trust in science, new survey shows
26 January 2023
A survey of over 2000 British adults has found that public trust in science, particularly genetics, increased significantly during the pandemic. However, those with extremely negative attitudes towards science tend to have high self-belief in their own understanding despite low textbook knowledge.
Vaccination shown to protect against pregnancy complications from COVID-19 Omicron variant
17 January 2023
The global network led by the Oxford Maternal and Perinatal Health Institute (OMPHI) at the University of Oxford has today published, in The Lancet, the results of the ‘2022 INTERCOVID Study’ conducted in 41 hospitals across 18 countries.
Research at the Outbreak of a Pandemic – thanking our donors
12 December 2022
A 35-page full-colour report was sent out to hundreds of donors as a thank you for their important contributions, and to show them the difference they helped to make during the pandemic.
Study reveals new evidence on rare blood-clotting condition after covid-19 vaccination
28 October 2022
Researchers from Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) at the University of Oxford have investigated claims that some adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines increase the risk of rare blood clots compared to their mRNA-based counterparts.
COVID-19 continued to hit life expectancy in 2021 in unvaccinated populations and Eastern Europe
17 October 2022
COVID-19 has caused a protracted shock to life expectancy levels, leading to global mortality changes unprecedented in the last 70 years, according to research published in Nature Human Behaviour from Oxford’s Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research.
Gene associated with better immune response, protection after COVID-19 vaccination
13 October 2022
Researchers from the University of Oxford have today reported new findings from a study exploring how certain genes can help generate a strong immune response following vaccination with two commonly used COVID-19 vaccines – identifying a particular gene associated with a high antibody response.
New computational technique reveals changes to lung function post COVID-19 infection
5 October 2022
A new study led by Oxford researchers found that prior COVID-19 infection was associated with more uneven inflation of the lungs during normal breathing, smaller lung volumes, and greater respiratory dead space.
Oxford vaccine saved most lives in its first year of rollout
15 July 2022
When the University of Oxford developed a vaccine that was effective against COVID-19, ensuring that it could be rolled out globally and in perpetuity for low- and middle-income countries was of paramount importance.
Novel all-in-one vaccine developed to tackle future coronavirus threats
6 July 2022
Up to $30 million in funding has been announced by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to bring a new nanoparticle vaccine offering protection against a range of coronaviruses to clinical trial.
COVID-19 vaccine protects people of all body weights from hospitalisation and death, a study of 9 million adults in England finds
1 July 2022
Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are effective against severe disease for people who are underweight, overweight, or who have obesity, finds new research published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, led by researchers at the University of Oxford.
Find out how other parts of the University are tackling COVID-19
Researchers across the University of Oxford are at the forefront of global efforts to understand COVID-19 and protect our communities.
Support our Research
Find out how to support Oxford's coronavirus work across a number of key research areas.