Pascal Soriot, 62, suggested the AstraZeneca jab might develop a greater T-cell response in comparison to doses of the Pfizer vaccine, the Times has revealed. It is thought a superior T-cell response could help people be better prepared to fight off severe illnesses.

       The broadsheet reports the French-born AstraZeneca chief executive as having suggested this could be why Europe has had such high levels of hospitalisations compared to infection rates.

       Mr Soriot told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s really interesting when you look at the UK.”

       He added: “There was a big peak of infections but not so many hospitalisations relative to Europe.

       “In the UK [the Oxford-AstraZeneca] vaccine was used to vaccinate older people, whereas in Europe people thought initially the vaccine doesn’t work in older people.”

       European nations tended to prioritise doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab due to concerns about blood clots.

       JUST IN: Sturgeon independence bid on brink as seven consecutive polls 'turn against' SNP plot

       According to the MailOnline, just 67million AstraZeneca doses were sent to the continent compared to 440million from Pfizer.

       Despite concerns over blood clots, the UK Government’s information on AstraZeneca claimed: “Following widespread use of the vaccine there have been extremely rare reports of blood clots in combination with low level of blood platelets.”

       The update added blood clots are “very rare” but “may affect up to one in 10,000 people”.

       Studies have since indicated Pfizer produces a better antibody response, but Soriot argued the focus should shift towards T-cell response.

       He said: “Everybody is focused on antibodies but antibodies decline over time.”

       READ MORE: EU declares war on motorbikes

       “This T-cell response remains important.

       “As soon as this virus attacks you, they wake up and they come to your rescue and they defend you.

       “But it takes them a little while.

       “So you may be infected but then they come to the rescue and you don’t get hospitalised.”

       Mr Soriot added: “What I’m saying is that T-cells do matter and in particular it relates to the durability of the response, especially in older people, and this vaccine has been shown to stimulate T-cells to a higher degree in older people.”

       DON'T MISS:

       Evergrande breakthrough as buyer makes huge profit after share surge [REPORT]

       Who are the Queen's cousins? A look at the royals stepping in tomorrow [REVEAL]

       Time is running out to solve our migrant crisis - EXPRESS COMMENT [OPINION]