United States firm Novavax has announced that its coronavirus jab was ready for regulators.
Trials in the U.K. showed 89.3 percent efficacy after two doses, including 85.6 percent for cases of the new British variant.
The Company said last night that its jab had “the potential to play an important role in solving this global public health crisis.”
Britain has 60 million doses of the Novavax vaccine on order, which will be manufactured in Stockton-on-Tees. The doses are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2021, assuming the regulator approves the vaccination.
“These are spectacular results, and we are very pleased to have helped Novavax with the development of this vaccine. The efficacy shown against the emerging variants is also extremely encouraging. This is an incredible achievement that will ensure we can protect individuals in the UK and the rest of the world from this virus,” said Clive Dix, Chair, UK Vaccine Taskforce.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:
“The results from the UK trial of Novavax’s vaccine look extremely promising, and I welcome the news that the company is planning to submit its data to the regulators.
The UK moved quickly to procure 60 millio doses from Novavax and I’m pleased to confirm the bulk of the vaccine will be manufactured on Teesside and delivered during this year, if approved for use.
From the scientists and researchers to the thousands of UK trial volunteers, I am enormously grateful to everyone who is playing their part in this truly national effort to defeat this virus once and for all.”
