UK signs deals to secure additional 90 million doses of potential coronavirus vaccines

Britain has secured early access to 90 million vaccine doses by signing separate deals with an alliance of Pfizer and Biotech, and French group Valneva. UK government anunced on July 20 that it has signed a binding agreement with BioNTech/Pfizer to secure 30 million doses of vaccine. 

According to UK business ministry, in-principle agreement with Vaneva allows government to secure 60 million doses of vaccine, with an option to acquire ar 40 million doses of vaccine if it is proven to be “safe, effective and suitable. two major vaccine deals come after its recent agreement with AstraZeneca to produce 100 million doses of a potential vaccine being developed in partnership with Oxford University. 

British government has also signed a separate deal with AstraZeneca to acquire one million doses of a treatment containing COVID-19 neutralising antibodies to protect those who cant receive vaccines, like cancer and immucompromised patients. Business Secretary Alok Sharma said in a statement that government is doing everything it can to ensure its citizens get access to a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible.

“This new partnership with some of world’s foremost pharmaceutical and vaccine companies will ensure UK has best chance possible of securing a vaccine that protects those most at risk,” said Sharma.

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Early-st trial results

Meanwhile, Lancet is set to publish results of early-st trials of vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University which has been licensed to AstraZeneca. After speculations over release of Phase I intensified, Lancet spokesperson said that early-st human trial data is currently undergoing final editing and preparation, and will be published on July 20. 

Reports suggest that vaccine candidate helps produce antibodies and T-cells, providing twin protection which could be a major breakthrough in defence against vel coronavirus. According to various studies, antibodies may disappear after a few months but T-cells can stay in blood circulation for years. much-awaited vaccine candidate is currently going through large-scale Phase III human trials in Brazil, epicentre of coronavirus in Latin America.

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