NHS to deliver vaccines to low-uptake communities in a Ford van May 7, 2021 Ford and the NHS in Essex have joined forces with local health leaders to roll out a vaccine drive using a tailored Transit van to deliver jabs. Despite the UK’s successful vaccine rollout, vaccine uptake is lower among some communities facing access challenges, which the vaccine drive seeks to tackle. “Our goal of giving everyone [...]
Tweaked Moderna vaccine ‘effective’ against new Covid variants May 6, 2021 Moderna’s “tweaked” vaccine against new Covid variants that emerged in South Africa and Brazil has successfully neutralised them in laboratory trials, the US company announced last night. Data from a small-scale trial of 40 patients showed that a third dose of either its current coronavirus jab or an experimental new vaccine candidate increases immunity against [...]
Over 50s to be offered third Covid ‘booster’ jab to eradicate risk of virus before Christmas May 5, 2021 Over 50s could reportedly be offered a third Covid “booster” vaccination this autumn in a bid to eradicate the threat of the virus before Christmas. Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, is currently supervising two trials, with one involving a jab modified to protect against new variants. The other trial involves a third [...]
India hit by vaccine shortage a day before it widened its jabs drive April 30, 2021 India has been hit by a Covid-19 vaccines shortage a day before it had planned to widen its nationwide inoculation programme, authorities said today. It comes as the world’s second-most populous country saw another daily record in new cases, reporting 386,452 infections in the last 24 hours. However, medical experts and journalists have warned that [...]
Embattled Covid-19 jab maker Astrazeneca reports $275m of vaccine sales April 30, 2021 Embattled Covid-19 vaccine maker Astrazeneca reported a jump in revenue to $7.32bn in the first quarter, including $275m of coronavirus jab sales. The pharmaceutical giant said revenue grew 15 per cent in the first three months of 2021, and profit after tax jumped from £750m to £1.56bn. It recorded $275m of Covid-19 jab sales after [...]
Lockdown roadmap cannot be rushed, despite vaccine success, minister says April 29, 2021 Despite the success of the vaccine rollout, the roadmap through lifting lockdown restrictions cannot be accelerated safely, the UK’s vaccines minister has warned this morning. Minister Nadhim Zahawi said that while one in four adults had two doses, “we have to be careful”. The successful vaccine rollout does not ensure full protection, Zahawi warned, adding that “if the [...]
UK to Greece vaccine passports are ‘forthcoming’, Greek minister says April 27, 2021 Covid-19 passports between the UK and Greece are “forthcoming”, the Greek government has said today, allowing some vaccinated Brits to island hop this summer. Foreign holidays this year are increasingly on the cards as vaccine passports have gained traction. The Greek tourism minister, Harry Theoharis, said Greece is looking to welcome back UK tourists who [...]
Q+A: Covid-19 vaccine rollout extended to all those over 42, your questions answered April 27, 2021 The Covid-19 vaccine rollout has been extended in England for the second time in two days. Adults aged 42 and over are now able to book their jab. Here’s a quick Q+A to bring you up to speed as the NHS in England takes another step forward in the biggest vaccination programme in its history. [...]
Regulators mull restricting Astrazeneca jab for under-40s over blood clot fears April 24, 2021 UK scientists are reportedly considering whether under-40s should be advised to have an alternative vaccine to the Astrazeneca jab due to blood clot fears. Earlier this month it was recommended that under-30s should be offered a different jab as the risk of developing a blood clot outweighed the benefits of receiving the vaccine. The risk [...]
EU kicks off legal case against Astrazeneca over vaccine supply issues April 22, 2021 The EU has begun legal proceedings against Astrazeneca over its alleged failure to deliver on its Covid-19 vaccine supply agreements. Speaking in the Irish parliament today, health minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed that the bloc had initiated action. “With regard to Astrazeneca, a legal case has been initiated by the (European) Commission and earlier this week [...]