HM’s Government has signed deals for a further 90 million doses of coronavirus vaccine, meaning the UK has now placed orders for six experimental vaccines, taking its potential stockpile to 340 million doses.
The newest addition vaccines are being developed by the Belgian pharmaceutical company Janssen and the US biotech company Novavax.
The move means that in theory, there should be enough for everyone in the United Kingdom to get five doses, however, according to research most of the vaccines require only two.
With most vaccine trials ending in failure, the government is effectively spreading its bets, hoping that at least one of the vaccines it has purchased proves safe and effective.
The price being paid has not yet been revealed to the public.
Kate Bingham, chair of the UK government Vaccine Taskforce, said: “We don’t know if any of these vaccine formats that we’ve acquired will actually work. There are no licensed vaccines for any human coronavirus.”
She added it was a “priority” to ensure the UK has “sufficient vaccine” for groups “who are most at risk from coronavirus infection”.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “The government’s strategy to build a portfolio of promising vaccine candidates will ensure we have the best chance possible of finding one that works.
“Today’s agreements will not only benefit people in the UK but will ensure fair and equitable access of a vaccine around the world, potentially protecting hundreds of millions of lives.”
HM’s government has now purchased experimental coronavirus vaccines that have been developed using four different scientific approaches:
- Adenovirus vaccines: 100 million doses Oxford University/AstraZeneca; 30 million doses Janssen
- mRNA vaccines: 30 million doses BioNTech/Pfizer
- Inactivated whole virus vaccines: 60 million doses Valneva
- Protein adjuvant vaccines: 60 million doses GSK/Sanofi; 60 million doses Novavax
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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