The COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University has been approved for use in the UK, the government has said.
It is a way for more millions of people to be vaccinated against the virus, with the UK prescribing 100 million doses from AstraZeneca, which can vaccinate 50 million people.
The NHS has already vaccinated hundreds of thousands of patients with the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine and the government said the rollout would continue.
The health service will now begin preparations to roll out the Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccine, with hopes of starting to provide the jobs in the new year.
Unlike Pfizer / BioNTech injections, the newly approved vaccine can be stored at room temperature rather than -70C, making it easier to transport to care homes and GP surgeries.
It is also cheap and easy to mass-produce, which will help the UK to expand its vaccination campaign quickly.
“The government has today accepted the recommendation of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for use,” Westminster said in a statement.
“This follows rigorous clinical trials and a detailed analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA, who found that the vaccine has met the stringent standards of safety, quality and efficacy.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was “a moment to celebrate Britain’s innovation” as the new vaccine would be available at low cost to the world’s poorest areas.
AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot called the injection a “significant day” for millions.
He said: “It has been proven to be effective, well tolerated, simple to administer and delivered with AstraZeneca to no avail. We would like to thank our many colleagues at AstraZeneca, University of Oxford, the UK government and tens of thousands of clinical trial participants.
Movement in vaccine strategy
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) will publish its latest advice to priority groups receiving this vaccine.
He has advised a shift in strategy, with priority given to getting the first dose of people in at-risk groups, rather than giving both doses which is required in the shortest possible time.
“Everyone will still receive their second dose and this will be within 12 weeks of their first dose. The second dose completes the course and is important for long-term protection,” the government said. of the UK.
She also said that administering the vaccines in this way will increase the benefits of both vaccines, according to JCVI advice.
“It will ensure that more people at risk will be able to gain meaningful protection from vaccination in the coming weeks and months, reduce deaths and begin to reduce pressure on our NHS,”
This news came when the UK embarked on a new version of COVID-19, which pushed many European countries to the islands.
The new change has been reported in other countries on the continent as well as the USA.