The UK government has pledged extra money to invest in targeting Covid variants. The cash boost is helping to fast track vaccines to fight new mutations of the virus.
Existing vaccines do still protect against variants that have already been identified. But experts say it is essential to stay a step ahead of the virus as it is continually mutating. They are concerned about future variants that may escape this immunity.
Meanwhile, there have been reports that people aged over 50 would receive a third vaccine before winter. However, a minister says there is no decision yet on whether these booster jabs will be given. NHS teams plan to be ready though to administer these vaccinations from September.
Timing of third jabs will depend on how well protection from vaccines has lasted for the most vulnerable groups. There is n knowing if this will be some time later this year, or even early next year.
The government already promised £19.7m, but have now increased this with additional funding of £29.3m. This will boost testing facilities at the Porton Down research laboratory, and increase the pace and scale of their work. It will also fund vaccine manufacture.
Commitment to Science
The government is already planning for a booster Covid vaccine programme in the autumn. This is to protect the most vulnerable groups ahead of winter.
An extra 60 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine were ordered last week, which will be used alongside others for the booster jabs. There is a chance new updated vaccines will also be used, that are better for fighting emerging variants.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says there is a commitment to support the UK’s flourishing life-sciences industry. He sees this as another critical way we will build back better to protect the country for the future.
The biggest risk of a third wave is a new variant that can escape the current vaccines. The new investment will help keep us ahead of the virus as it enables the doubling of the capacity to test vaccine effectiveness.
While it is expected that existing vaccines will offer protection against new variants, and prevent serious illness and death, it is important to continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
The government has already pre-ordered 50 million doses from biopharmaceutical company CureVac who are developing vaccines against future variants.
The UK is now on a steady course out of the pandemic, but new variants are the biggest threat to progress. Variants need to be monitored carefully before confirming any decisions on the easing of restrictions and Covid measures.
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