The UK has approved Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for use following its approval in the EU earlier this month. This makes the Moderna jab the third vaccine to get approved for use in the UK. Phase 3 clinical trials showed the overall efficacy of the vaccine to be at 94.1 percent, with efficacy against severe COVID-19 standing at 100 percent.
Studies have found the vaccine produces antibodies against the virus that could last for at least three months. In a recent video conference call, the Moderna CEO stated that the vaccine is likely to protect people for a couple of years, however more research is required to confirm this.
The UK's Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said: “This is further great news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this awful disease.
“We have already vaccinated nearly 1.5 million people across the UK and Moderna’s vaccine will allow us to accelerate our vaccination programme even further once doses become available from the spring.
“While we immunise those most at risk from Covid, I urge everyone to continue following the rules to keep cases low to protect our loved ones.”
According to Sky News, the UK government has already ordered 7 million doses of the jab, with 10 million to follow suit later this year.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
For more information about COVID-19, check out the IFLScience COVID-19 hub where you can follow the current state of the pandemic, the progress of vaccine development, and further insights into the disease.
