WHO says no indication new COVID variant in UK impacts vaccine effectiveness

World Health Organization Emergencies Programme Executive Director Mike Ryan on Monday, December 14 said that organization is aware about new variant of COVID-19 that has been spotted in United Kingdom. However, as of w, re is evidence to suggest that mutation will hamper effectiveness of vaccine. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock  anunced that new variant that has been spotted is responsible for approximately 1,000 cases. 

New variant in UK

At a WHO press conference, Ryan said, “We are aware of this genetic variant I think reported in about 1,000 individuals in England, and authorities in UK under Matt Hancock's leership are obviously looking at significance of this”. As a result of this new variant, London will be placed under maximum level of coronavirus restrictions. As per reports by AP, Hancock told MPs in House of Commons that "swift and decisive action" was needed. He said, "A new variant of coronavirus has been identified in UK, which may be associated with fastest spre in souast of England”. 

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Speaking about variant, Hancock said, “We do t kw extent to which this is because of new variant but matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action which unfortunately is absolutely essential to control this dely disease while vaccine is rolled out…We must act w to shift curve… because when virus moves quickly, we must move quickly too".

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As per an official of WHO, re is evidence to determine transferring pace of new variant. Also, it is t clear if variant will hamper vaccine’s effectiveness against vel coronavirus. Talking about Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine rollout, Hancock said that thanks to science “help is on its way”, but “this isn’t over yet”. British PM Boris Johnson on December 8 welcomed start of coronavirus vaccine program and thanked health workers, scientists and people who h volunteered for testing. NHS is set to create history by undertaking biggest immunisation campaign at 50 hospital hubs in UK. programme will ramp up furr in coming weeks as first set of doses arrives from Pfizer’s manufacturing site in Belgium. 

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