AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
_06_16_2026_06_12_08_773360.jpg)
Summary
- The new Novavax vaccine has an 86 per cent efficacy against the coronavirus.
- Novavax will be produced in association with Teesside University in England.
- The UK has sought 60 million doses of Novavax vaccine, which will be delivered in the second half of the year.
The United Kingdom might get its fourth Covid-19 vaccine in some months as trials have confirmed that the vaccine candidate produced by US firm Novavax, Inc. is 89 per cent effective against the newly found strain of coronavirus. Besides, the UK believes that the Novavax vaccine can offer protection against the new South African variants and has, therefore, secured 60 million doses proactively. Notably, Novavax will be produced in association with Teesside University in England.
Also read: Siemens Healthineers partners with British hospital trust MFT
The vaccine is awaiting affirmation from the UK’s regulatory authority Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appreciated the volunteers who participated in the development of the vaccine.
Vaccine trial
During Phase III of the clinical trials, the Novavax vaccine was found to have an efficacy of 89 per cent at preventing coronavirus in volunteers in the UK. The clinical trial factored more than 15,000 people, of which nearly one-third people were older than 65.
Chief executive Officer Stan Erck has termed the results from the phase III trial as spectacular and very much on expected lines.
(Image Source: © Kalkine Group 2020)
Post approval from the MHRA, the National Health Service shall speed up rolling out of the vaccine to the masses, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said. The UK is keen to add another weapon in its arsenal to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, especially the new strain.
Notably, the British government has already signed Covid-19 vaccine agreements with three pharmaceutical giants to accelerate its mass vaccination programmes.
Vaccines from Pfizer Inc and Oxford/AstraZeneca Plc have already received regulatory approvals from the MHRA. US-based pharmaceutical Moderna Inc was the third vaccine to receive regulatory approval in the UK. The government had earlier ordered 100 million doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and forged an agreement with Pfizer/BioNtech for 40 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine. It has also sought 17 million doses from Moderna Inc.
The UK has sought 60 million doses of Novavax vaccine, which is found to be highly effective against the deadly virus in contrast to Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. The new vaccine is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2021, subject to approval from MHRA. Notably, the new Novavax vaccine has an 86 per cent efficacy against the new UK strain.
