The United Kingdom has authorized a fifth Covid-19 vaccine created by the American company Novavax, which provides up to 89 percent protection against Covid disease.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has determined that it is safe for adults to take as a first and second dosage. A facility in Teesside is currently producing millions of doses.
Independent experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, according to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, will now review its use.
The vaccine might potentially be utilized as part of the UK immunization program right now. However, given that more than 91 percent of the UK population is already immunized twice, it is more likely to be used later in the year as part of a prospective fall or winter booster deployment.
“It’s a testament to the country’s first-rate research and development capabilities for vaccines,” Mr Javid said, “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.”
In clinical studies, the Novavax vaccine, known as Nuvaxovid, was shown to be 89 percent effective in capturing symptomatic Covid-19.
The study was done on both the Wuhan and Alpha forms of the virus at the beginning.
Novavax said in December that two doses were successful in eliciting an immune response against the now-dominant Omicron strain, which was initially discovered in South Africa. The business has also begun work on an Omicron-specific variant.
“Our approval of Nuvaxovid 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.” stated MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine.
The government decided to acquire 60 million doses and fund the vaccine’s final – or phase-three – trials in August 2020.
Since February 2021, a plant in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, has been producing a critical component of the vaccine.
However, delays in the clearance process throughout the world have raised concerns about job prospects in the region.
Novavax had to postpone its submission to US regulators many times due to delays in research and production. On Monday, it was finally filed.