By Covid-19: Novavax vaccine shows 89% efficiency in UK trials
The UK has secured 60 million doses of the jab, which will be made in Stockton-on-Tees in north-east England.
The Novavax jab, which is given in two doses, was shown to be 89.3% effective at preventing Covid-19 in participants in its Phase 3 clinical trial in the UK.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said ‘this is positive news and, if approved by the medicines regulator, the Novavax vaccine will be a significant boost to our vaccination programme and another weapon in our arsenal to beat this awful virus.’
A jab made by the US firm Novavax could become the fourth vaccine to be approved in the UK after promising data from a late-stage trial emerged.
These extremely encouraging trial results suggest another powerful vaccine against coronavirus could soon be within reach.
It works in a slightly different way to the ones that are already available – but does the same job of teaching the body’s immune system to recognise and fight the pandemic virus. It combines an engineered protein from the virus that causes COVID-19 with a plant-based ingredient to help generate a stronger immune response.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said ‘the results from the UK trial of Novavax’s vaccine look extremely promising, and I welcome the news that the company is planning to submit its data to the regulators.’
