The government says that the deals
will ensure that the UK has the best chance to protect those at risk-if the
vaccines succeed.
will ensure that the UK has the best chance to protect those at risk-if the
vaccines succeed.
Thanks to partnerships with
pharmaceutical companies, the UK has secured early access to 90 million
COVID-19 vaccine doses.
pharmaceutical companies, the UK has secured early access to 90 million
COVID-19 vaccine doses.
The figure includes 30 million doses
of a vaccine being developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, the first agreement that
the two firms signed with any government. This vaccine reached trials in Phase
2.
of a vaccine being developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, the first agreement that
the two firms signed with any government. This vaccine reached trials in Phase
2.
The second deal is in principle an
agreement for 60 million doses of a vaccine being developed by Valneva, with an
option to get an additional 40 million doses if this vaccine is proven to be
safe, effective and appropriate. Valneva, which has a factory in Livingston,
Scotland, is developing an inactivated virus vaccine and is expected to
contribute to clinical trial costs by the government.
agreement for 60 million doses of a vaccine being developed by Valneva, with an
option to get an additional 40 million doses if this vaccine is proven to be
safe, effective and appropriate. Valneva, which has a factory in Livingston,
Scotland, is developing an inactivated virus vaccine and is expected to
contribute to clinical trial costs by the government.
Funds are also being negotiated to
expand the Scottish facility to allow up to 100 million doses to be produced
for the UK and around the world.
expand the Scottish facility to allow up to 100 million doses to be produced
for the UK and around the world.
The third deal concerns AstraZeneca
and gives the United Kingdom a possible one million doses of COVID-19
neutralizing antibodies that could be used to protect those who cannot be
vaccinated, such as those who are immune-compromised.
and gives the United Kingdom a possible one million doses of COVID-19
neutralizing antibodies that could be used to protect those who cannot be
vaccinated, such as those who are immune-compromised.
The three agreements mean that
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland would have sufficient doses to vaccinate
priority groups such as health and social care workers, and those at increased
risk of serious coronavirus complications or death.
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland would have sufficient doses to vaccinate
priority groups such as health and social care workers, and those at increased
risk of serious coronavirus complications or death.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said
the agreements “would ensure the UK has the best possible opportunity to
achieve a vaccine that will protect those at the highest risk.”
the agreements “would ensure the UK has the best possible opportunity to
achieve a vaccine that will protect those at the highest risk.”
His cabinet colleague, Education
Secretary Gavin Williamson, told Sky News that the vaccine is the “best
and safest route out of this crisis.”
Secretary Gavin Williamson, told Sky News that the vaccine is the “best
and safest route out of this crisis.”
Mr. Williamson said to Kay Burley at Breakfast,
“It’s true that the government is investing and placing orders on these
vaccines, so we have a number of options.
“It’s true that the government is investing and placing orders on these
vaccines, so we have a number of options.
“And we are one of the countries
that is better positioned to be able to deliver a wide variety of vaccines that
will secure this nation for the future as we recover from this pandemic.”
that is better positioned to be able to deliver a wide variety of vaccines that
will secure this nation for the future as we recover from this pandemic.”
The other potential vaccines the
government has secured access to are:
government has secured access to are:
- A vaccine by Oxford University and
AstraZeneca, which was the first to start Phase 3 trials in May. AstraZeneca
will produce 100 million doses for the UK - An mRNA vaccine by Imperial College
London, which started human trials in June
Kate Bingham, Vaccine Taskforce
chairman said: “The fact that we have so many successful candidates
already shows the incredible speed we are working at.
chairman said: “The fact that we have so many successful candidates
already shows the incredible speed we are working at.
“But I would advise you not to be
complacent or too confident. The truth remains that we can never get a vaccine,
even if we have one, we must be prepared not to be a vaccine that stops the
virus from spreading, but instead one that decreases symptoms.
complacent or too confident. The truth remains that we can never get a vaccine,
even if we have one, we must be prepared not to be a vaccine that stops the
virus from spreading, but instead one that decreases symptoms.
Meanwhile, the government has opened a
website where people can register to engage in future studies of the vaccines.
website where people can register to engage in future studies of the vaccines.
The goal is to have 500,000 people
signed up by October to enable large-scale studies across the UK to take place.
signed up by October to enable large-scale studies across the UK to take place.
These trials, involving hundreds or
thousands of volunteers, will help researchers understand each vaccine ‘s
efficacy better, speeding up attempts to figure out what the secret to
preventing the pandemic might be.
thousands of volunteers, will help researchers understand each vaccine ‘s
efficacy better, speeding up attempts to figure out what the secret to
preventing the pandemic might be.
