BRITISH scientists have hailed the “tremendously exciting” news that a US coronavirus vaccine may prevent 94.5 per cent of people from getting Covid-19 - but it is not one of the trials the UK has preordered.
Interim data from the US firm Moderna suggests its vaccine is highly effective in preventing people getting ill and also works across all age groups, including the elderly.
It comes just one week after the news that pharmaceutical company Pfizer - also US based - announced its coronavirus vaccine candidate is more than 90 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19 during a major trial.
Boris Johnson confirmed last week that the government has pre-ordered enough of the Pfizer vaccine to immunise two-thirds of the UK population.
But the UK has not placed an order for the Moderna vaccine – which works in a similar way to Pfizer’s – and it is unclear whether the British Government can get any stock.
However, scientists said the news bodes well for other Covid-19 vaccines, with the one for Oxford University and UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca due to report in the coming days or weeks.
Moderna intends to submit an application for an Emergency Use Authorisation with the US Food and Drug Administration shortly and will submit further data on the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety.
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