By UK drugs regulator approves fifth Covid vaccine
Nuvaxovid is the latest vaccine approved by the UK is developed by US company Novavax, which offers up to 89 per cent protection against Covid illness.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the new vaccine for use as a first and second dose for adults in the UK.
A plant on Teeside are currently producing millions of doses of Nuvaxovid.
With 91 per cent of the UK population already double vaccinated, it is expected that this vaccine will be rolled out for boosters further down the line.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It is great to see our world renowned medicines regulator approve another COVID-19 vaccine.
“I want the UK to be the best place in the world to conduct clinical trials. It’s a testament to the country’s first-rate research and development capabilities for vaccines – with tens of thousands of people taking part in clinical trials here in the UK, contributing to the invaluable research that shows our vaccines are safe and effective.
“The next step will be for the independent Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination to consider its use as part of the UK COVID-19 vaccination programme.”
June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA added to the joy expressed by the Health Secretary, adding: “I am pleased to confirm today that this authorisation has been granted, providing access to a fifth vaccine that can be used to help protect us from COVID-19.
“Our approval of Nuvaxovid today follows a rigorous review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of this vaccine, and expert advice from the government’s independent scientific advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines.”
There are differences with this vaccine than the other ones currently approved in the UK.
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the independent Commission on Human Medicines, explained:
“Nuvaxovid is distinct from other COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in the UK as it uses recombinant protein-based technology which has been used for many years in the development of vaccines to prevent other illnesses, for example Hepatitis B. In reaching its decision, the MHRA considered the results of 2 large clinical trials involving nearly 50,000 participants.
“We are pleased to say that we have advised that the benefit risk balance of Nuvaxovid is positive,” he added.
Novavax have announced that they are working on an Omicron-specific version of the vaccine, but two doses of their current version is effective against the strain.
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