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
Asthma drug budesonide shortens recovery time in non-hospitalised patients with COVID-19
12 April 2021
Inhaled budesonide, a common corticosteroid, is the first widely available, inexpensive drug found to shorten recovery times in COVID-19 patients aged over 50 who are treated at home and in other community settings, reports the PRINCIPLE trial in 1,779 participants.
UK and EU regulators conclude benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh the risks
7 April 2021
Today, the medical regulators in the UK and Europe have announced their conclusions from their reviews of very rare cases of unusual blood clots in people who have received the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.
Link between COVID-19 infection and subsequent mental health and neurological conditions found
7 April 2021
One in three COVID-19 survivors received a neurological or psychiatric diagnosis within six months of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, an observational study of more than 230,000 patient health records published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal estimates. The study looked at 14 neurological and mental health disorders.
New national study of long-term impacts of debilitating lung damage from COVID-19
7 April 2021
A new national study will investigate the long-term effects of lung inflammation and scarring from COVID-19. The study, launched with £2 million of funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aims to develop treatment strategies and prevent disability.
Opportunities for final goodbyes must be prioritised in COVID-19 pandemic
31 March 2021
Bereaved relatives described the ongoing pain of being absent at the end of a loved-one's life. Many had not seen their relative for weeks or months due to the pandemic. Opportunities must be prioritised for essential connections between families at end-of-life care.
New study shows overwhelming public support for donating vaccines to low-income countries
31 March 2021
A survey led by Nuffield Department of Population Health's Health Economics Research Centre has found that most people in high-income countries support donating some of their country’s COVID-19 vaccine supplies to low-income nations who would otherwise struggle to gain access.
MRC HIU researchers release cheap, quick COVID-19 antibody test
29 March 2021
An international research team led by Oxford University scientists has developed a portable test for antibodies that fight the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
New study finds strong immune response following COVID-19 vaccination
29 March 2021
A new study has found that 99% of people generate a robust immune response against COVID-19 after just one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and that after two doses levels of protection were even stronger.
University of Oxford to study nasal administration of COVID-19 vaccine
26 March 2021
The University of Oxford is launching a study investigating the delivery of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 coronavirus vaccine using a nasal spray.
AstraZeneca publish primary analysis from US trial of coronavirus vaccine
25 March 2021
Our partners AstraZeneca have today announced the high-level results from the primary analysis of their Phase III trial of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 coronavirus vaccine in the US. They confirm that the vaccine efficacy is consistent with the interim analysis results announced on Monday 22 March 2021.
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.