The UK today rubber-stamped a deal for 50million doses of tweaked coronavirus vaccines, as it steps up efforts to fight off jab-resistant variants.
Newly-emerged strains have sparked concerns across the world, after tests revealed some may be able to dodge immunity triggered by the current crop of vaccines.
But the deal signed between No10 and German biotech firm CureVac today seeks to bolster the UK’s arsenal against these emerging threats, and keep the nation one step ahead of the virus.
Officials are yet to confirm which strains they are targeting, but it is thought likely to include the South African variant which scientific tests show may make jabs slightly less effective.
The vaccines will be based on mRNA, the same technology used by Pfizer/BioNTech for their shots which were more than 90 per cent effective in trials.
Matt Hancock heralded the agreement as ensuring the UK can continue to ‘provide everyone with a high level of protection against the virus and save lives’.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer, said new jabs will be needed to ‘offer the best protection possible’ as the virus continues to mutate.
‘Being able to create these new vaccines at speed will allow our scientists to keep ahead of the virus as they do every year with the influenza vaccine,’ he said.
CureVac has been working on an mRNA vaccine – using a protein from the virus – which is currently in stage three trials.
The European Union signed a deal for up to 405million doses of their jab in November, following five months of talks. But the UK did not have any previous purchase commitments with the company.
Officials haven’t said which variants they are targeting, but it is thought likely to include the South African variant which has sparked door-to-door testing in parts of the UK. Pictured, a policeman delivers a coronavirus testing kit in Maidstone, Kent
The three Covid variants causing international alarm emerged in Britain, South Africa…
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