UK approves Moderna vaccine for rollout against COVID-19

08 January,2021 06:11 PM IST |  London  |  IANS

In trials with more than 30,000, the Moderna vaccine offered nearly 95 per cent protection from severe COVID

Nurse Laura Bailey draws the Moderna vaccine from the first batch of Moderna`s vaccine at Hartford hospital in Hartford, Connecticut on December 21, 2020. Pic/AFP


The UK's regulatory authority on Friday approved a third COVID-19 vaccine for use in the country, made by the company Moderna.

However, supplies of the new jab are not expected to be available until the spring in a few weeks' time as the UK has pre-ordered 7 million doses. In trials with more than 30,000, the Moderna vaccine offered nearly 95 per cent protection from severe COVID.

The Moderna vaccine works in a similar way to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that is already being offered by the National Health Service (NHS). It requires temperatures of around -20C for shipping -- similar to a normal freezer. In comparison, the Pfizer/BioNTech one requires temperatures closer to -75C, making transport logistics much more difficult.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca jab is easier to store and distribute, as it can be kept at normal fridge temperature.

All three vaccines, now cleared for use in the UK, require a second booster shot.

Around 1.5 million people in the UK have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far, the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs.

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