Moderna coronavirus vaccine approved for use in the UK
The UK reported 1,325 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test today (January 8) – the UK’s highest number of deaths reported in a single day since the start of the pandemic. The news comes as the UK regulatory body, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has approved the Moderna coronavirus vaccine for use in the UK.
As Covid cases, hospital admissions and deaths remain significantly high in the UK, the vaccine rollout programme in the UK continues.
So far, nearly 1.5 million people have already received their first dose of vaccine against Covid-19 in the UK.
The Moderna vaccine will be joining both the Pfizer/BioNTech and the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccines, which were both approved for use in the UK late last year.
Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive, said of the Moderna vaccine’s approval: “Today’s approval brings more encouraging news to the public and the healthcare sector.
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“Having a third Covid-19 vaccine approved for supply following a robust and thorough assessment of all the available data is an important goal to have achieved and I am proud that the agency has helped to make this a reality.
“The progress we are now making for vaccines on the regulatory front, whilst not cutting any corners, is helping in our global fight against this disease and ultimately helping to save lives.
“I want to echo that our goal is always to put the protection of the public first.
“Once in use, all COVID-19 vaccines are continually monitored by the MHRA. This ensures that the benefits in protecting people against COVID-19 continue to far outweigh any potential side-effects.
“Meantime, even if you have had a vaccine it is vital that everyone follows the national lockdown restrictions and remembers ‘stay alert, protect the NHS and save lives’ at all times.”
The approval of the Moderna vaccine has been praised by the Government as another step towards defeating the spread of coronavirus in the UK.
Boris Johnson tweeted: “Excellent news the MHRAgovuk has approved the use of the moderna-tx vaccine.
“Our national vaccine effort is accelerating to vaccinate priority groups with our existing two vaccines, and the Moderna doses will add to that when they become available in spring.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “This is fantastic news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this awful disease.”
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Where is the Moderna vaccine from?
The latest vaccine to be approved for use in the UK was created by US company Moderna.
The Moderna vaccine was created in collaboration with the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The Moderna vaccine has shown to be 94 percent effective against Covid-19 in clinical trials.
The Moderna vaccine was the second Covid vaccine to be approved for use in the USA, after the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was first approved last year.
How does the Moderna vaccine work?
Like the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the Moderna vaccine is a form of mRNA vaccine.
The Moderna vaccine works by injecting a small part of the genetic code of the Covid-19 virus, which then triggers an immune response.
The body becomes equipped to fight Covid-19 following the vaccination, as the body develops antibodies after the injection.
The Government guidance on the announcement states: “Anyone with a previous history of allergic reactions to the ingredients of the vaccine should not receive it, but those with any other allergies such as a food allergy can have the vaccine.”
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