Third coronavirus vaccine approved by UK regulator

A third coronavirus vaccine has today been approved by the UK regulator.

The Moderna vaccine, an mRNA vaccine, works by injecting a small part of the COVID-19 virus’ genetic code, which triggers an immune response and creates antibodies in the human body able to fight the virus.

If follows the approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

The Moderna vaccine also requires two doses of the vaccine to be administered.

Seven million doses of the vaccine have already been ordered, with an order placed for a further 10 million.

However the first doses are not expected to arrive until the spring.

Asked at today’s Welsh Government briefing First Minister Mark Drakeford said it was good news and that “when supplies become available we will be using them in Wales”.

MHRA Chief Executive Dr June Raine said: “Today’s approval brings more encouraging news to the public and the healthcare sector. Having a third COVID-19 vaccine approved for supply following a robust and thorough assessment of all the available data is an important goal to have achieved and I am proud that the agency has helped to make this a reality.

“The progress we are now making for vaccines on the regulatory front, whilst not cutting any corners, is helping in our global fight against this disease and ultimately helping to save lives. I want to echo that our goal is always to put the protection of the public first.

“Once in use, all COVID-19 vaccines are continually monitored by the MHRA. This ensures that the benefits in protecting people against COVID-19 continue to far outweigh any potential side-effects. Meantime, even if you have had a vaccine it is vital that everyone follows the national lockdown restrictions and remembers ‘stay alert, protect the NHS and save lives’ at all times.”

Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the Expert Working Group of the Independent Commission on Human Medicines added: “We are delighted to be able to give a positive recommendation for the Moderna vaccine which will help in the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

“As with all the COVID-19 vaccine data we have seen to date, we have ensured a robust and thorough safety assessment has been carried out with the independent experts that sit on this group.”