UK the first to approve COVID-19 vaccine that targets both original strain and Omicron variant

The new vaccine ‘Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron’ was given the green by the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
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The UK has become the first country to approve a new covid vaccine that targets both the original strain and the Omicron variant that caused havoc at the start of 2022 and threatened yet another lockdown.

Since the pandemic began back in early 2020, the UK responded quickly with a vaccine and had the biggest rollout in Europe, with over 75 percent of all Brits now fully vaccinated.

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And once again the UK is the first to achieve something new with Covid vaccines, with the announcement of the new vaccine another milestone reached.

The Moderna jab was given the green light by the MHRA after it was found to meet the UK regulatory requirements of safety, quality and effectiveness.

According to Sky News, The new jab contains 25 micrograms of the Omicron vaccine and 25 micrograms of the original Coronavirus vaccine.

Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA said: “I am pleased to announce that approval of the Modern bivalent booster vaccine, which was found in the clinical trial to provide a strong immune response against the Omicron BA.1 variant as well as the original 2020 strain.

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“The first generation of Covid-19 vaccines being used in the UK continue to provide important protection against the disease and save lives.

“What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armoury to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve.”

Stephane Bancel, the CEO at Moderna said: "We are delighted with the MHRA’s authorisation of Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron, our next generation COVID-19 vaccine.

"This represents the first authorisation of an Omicron-containing bivalent vaccine, further highlighting the dedication and leadership of the UK public health authorities in helping to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This bivalent vaccine has an important role to play in protecting people in the UK from COVID-19 as we enter the winter months."

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