Scientists behind AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine start developing Delta-specific jab October 19, 2021 A new version of the Oxford vaccine is reportedly being developed to specifically target the Covid-19 Delta strain. The team of scientists behind the AstraZeneca/Oxford jab, led by Professor Sarah Gilbert, has begun early work on the new vaccine with the goal of “having something on the shelf ready to scale up – if it’s [...]
Airlift 240m Covid-19 vaccines says Gordon Brown after COVAX scheme misses target October 17, 2021 Former prime minister Gordon Brown has urged that 240m Covid-19 vaccines being distributed to countries in the global south could save 100,000 lives. It follows the global COVAX scheme, a World Health Organisation (WHO) programme designed so wealthier countries can donate vaccine doses to states less able to bulk buy, missed its target, according to [...]
Vaccine walk-ins to open up to 12-to-15-year-olds as Covid positivity rates fly October 17, 2021 Walk-in vaccine centres are reportedly set to open up to children as Covid-19 positivity rates become highest in secondary school-age children. Ministers are planning on unveiling the scheme within weeks, according to the Mail on Sunday. The government sources reportedly added that the new clinics are an attempt to keep anti-vaxxers away from school premises. [...]
Tony Blair: The UK must accept vaccinated people from everywhere October 11, 2021 The UK must open its borders to all vaccinated people, regardless of country of origin, said the Tony Blair Institute. In a paper entitled “Keeping Travel Open: A Vaccine Anywhere, A Vaccine Everywhere”, the NGO funded by the former Prime Minister outlined several key recommendations the government should follow if it wants to help travel [...]
New Covid vaccine formulation could be needed by mid-2022, says BioNTech boss October 4, 2021 The boss of BioNTech, the German biotech firm behind the Pfizer Covid-19, has predicted that a new formulation for jabs will likely be needed by mid-2022. Scientists have warned that the virus could mutate in a way that means it is less resistant to vaccines. “This year [a different vaccine] is completely unneeded. But by [...]
Vaccine competition: Sanofi shelves mRNA-based Covid jab work September 28, 2021 French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi has shelved plans for its own mRNA-based Covid-19 jab due to the vaccine-success and dominance of rivals Pfizer and Moderna. Instead, Sanofi is set to focus on a different coronavirus vaccine making approach with its British partner GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). It signals the growing weight of the companies, namely BioNTech-Pfizer, Moderna and [...]
Covid to be like the common cold – one day, says AstraZeneca vaccine co-designer September 23, 2021 It is likely that Covid-19 will become just like the common cold, the professor who co-designed the AstraZeneca vaccine has said. However, the big question remains as to how long it will take to get there, Dame Sarah Gilbert explained. Speaking to a Royal Society of Medicine webinar, Gilbert assured that Covid-19 will “eventually” become [...]
Wales gives Covid-19 passes the green light ahead of New Zealand rugby showdown September 17, 2021 Wales has given Covid-19 passes, similar to the UK’s proposed passports, the green light, meaning people will have to prove vaccination or a negative test to attend events. The new rules, which come into effect on October 11, will see large-scale ever goers and clubbers use an NHS Covid Pass to be allowed entry. The [...]
Covid-19: Changes to menstruation after vaccination should be investigated, BMJ report urges September 16, 2021 More than 30,000 women after their vaccinations have reported changes in their menstrual cycle to the UK’s medicines watchdog, which a British Medical Journal report published today has urged to be investigated. Common temporary side effects of the Covid-19 vaccines listed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) include a fever, fatigue [...]
Central London least vaccinated place in England September 15, 2021 A new report has revealed that the vaccination rate in Central London is lagging behind the rest of the UK despite fears of a fourth coronavirus wave despite rising hospitalisation. It was first reported earlier this week in Metro that all 11 areas with the lowest vaccine coverage in the UK are clustered in the [...]