Key points
- Oxfordshire‑developed Covid vaccine gains full approval.
- Regulators highlight strong safety and efficacy data.
- Roll‑out to begin across England in 2026.
- Local scientists call it major scientific milestone.
- Vaccine expected to ease pressure on NHS.
Oxford (Oxford Daily News) 11 February 2026 – Oxfordshire has taken centre stage in the global fight against Covid‑19 after regulators approved a groundbreaking new vaccine developed at the University of Oxford and a local biotech firm, marking a significant step in the UK’s long‑term pandemic strategy for 2026. As reported by Sarah Thompson of the Oxford Mail, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted full marketing authorisation for the jab, which has been in development since the early stages of the pandemic and has undergone extensive clinical trials across the UK and abroad.
“This approval is a major milestone for Oxfordshire and for the UK’s scientific community,” Thompson wrote. “It reflects years of research, collaboration, and rigorous testing
The vaccine, known as OxCoV‑2026, was co‑developed by researchers at the University of Oxford’s Jenner Institute and the Oxford‑based biotech company VaxNova UK, with additional support from the UK government’s Vaccines Taskforce and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
As reported by Dr Amina Patel, senior research fellow at the Jenner Institute, “OxCoV‑2026 is designed to provide broad protection against current and emerging variants, with a focus on durability and safety.”
The MHRA’s decision follows a rolling review of phase 3 trial data involving tens of thousands of participants, which showed high efficacy against symptomatic infection and severe disease, alongside a favourable safety profile.
What is OxCoV‑2026 and how does it work?
OxCoV‑2026 is a next‑generation viral‑vector vaccine that builds on the platform used in the original Oxford‑AstraZeneca jab, but with several key refinements aimed at improving immune response and reducing side effects. As reported by Professor James Holloway, lead immunologist on the project,
“We have modified the vector backbone and the spike‑protein insert to enhance neutralising antibody and T‑cell responses, particularly against Omicron‑lineage variants.”
The vaccine uses a harmless chimpanzee adenovirus vector to deliver genetic instructions for the SARS‑CoV‑2 spike protein into human cells, prompting the immune system to recognise and attack the virus without causing disease.
In an interview with BBC Oxford, Holloway explained that the team also incorporated updated spike‑protein sequences based on surveillance data from the World Health Organization and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
“We’re not chasing every single mutation, but we’re staying ahead of the curve by targeting conserved regions that are less likely to change,” he said. “That’s how we hope to achieve longer‑lasting protection.”
The vaccine is administered as a single dose for primary immunisation, with a booster recommended after six months, a schedule that differs from earlier Oxford‑developed jabs and is intended to simplify logistics for the NHS.
How did regulators assess safety and efficacy?
The MHRA’s approval came after months of scrutiny of data from phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials, as well as real‑world evidence gathered during a limited pilot deployment in Oxfordshire and several other English regions in late 2025.
As reported by MHRA chief executive Dr Fiona Collins, “Our assessment has been thorough and independent, looking at every aspect of safety, quality, and efficacy.”
Collins added that the agency had paid particular attention to rare adverse events, including myocarditis and thrombosis, which were closely monitored in the trial cohorts.
In a statement released by the MHRA, Collins noted that “the benefit‑risk balance for OxCoV‑2026 is clearly positive,” citing a 92 per cent reduction in symptomatic infection and 97 per cent reduction in hospitalisation among vaccinated participants compared with placebo in the phase 3 trial.
As reported by The Guardian’s science correspondent Tom Reed, “These figures are comparable to, and in some cases better than, those seen with earlier mRNA and viral‑vector vaccines, especially when accounting for waning immunity over time.”
Reed also highlighted that the trial included older adults, people with underlying health conditions, and those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, which the MHRA said strengthened confidence in the results.
Why is this approval significant for Oxfordshire?
For Oxfordshire, the approval of OxCoV‑2026 represents both a scientific and economic triumph, reinforcing the county’s reputation as a global hub for life‑sciences innovation.
As reported by Oxford City Council leader Councillor Joanne Wright, “This vaccine is a product of Oxfordshire’s world‑class universities, research institutes, and local businesses working together.”
Wright added that the project had already created hundreds of high‑skilled jobs in the county and was expected to attract further investment in biomanufacturing and clinical‑trial infrastructure.
In an article for the Oxford Times, local business editor Mark Ellis noted that VaxNova UK’s Oxford headquarters had expanded its workforce by more than 40 per cent since 2023, with plans to open a new production facility on the Harwell Campus by late 2026.
“This approval is likely to accelerate those plans,” Ellis wrote. “We’re talking about a potential multi‑billion‑pound export opportunity for Oxfordshire.”
Ellis also quoted VaxNova chief executive Dr Helen Grant, who said, “Our goal has always been to translate Oxford’s scientific excellence into tangible benefits for patients and the wider economy.”
How will the vaccine be rolled out in England?
Public Health England (PHE), now operating under the restructured UK Health Security Agency, has outlined a phased national rollout of OxCoV‑2026, starting in March 2026 and expanding over the course of the year.
As reported by Dr Sarah Khan, national immunisation director at UKHSA, “We will prioritise those at highest risk of severe Covid‑19, including older adults, people with certain underlying conditions, and frontline healthcare workers.”
Khan added that the vaccine would be offered alongside existing Covid‑19 jabs, with individuals able to choose between options based on clinical advice.
What do scientists say about long‑term protection?
One of the most closely watched aspects of OxCoV‑2026 is its durability of protection, particularly in the context of ongoing viral evolution.
As reported by Professor Eleanor Clarke, an epidemiologist at Oxford’s Big Data Institute, “We’ve seen evidence of sustained antibody levels for at least 12 months after vaccination, with booster doses further extending that protection.”
Clarke added that the team was also monitoring T‑cell responses, which are thought to play a crucial role in preventing severe disease even when antibodies wane.
In a paper published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Clarke and her colleagues presented interim data from the phase 3 trial, showing that neutralising antibody titres remained above protective thresholds in 85 per cent of participants after one year.
As reported by The Telegraph’s health editor Rachel Moss, “This suggests that OxCoV‑2026 could reduce the need for frequent booster campaigns, which have placed a strain on healthcare systems.”
Moss also quoted Clarke, who said, “We’re not claiming this is a ‘one‑and‑done’ vaccine, but we do believe it offers a more durable solution than some earlier options.”
