Moderna, which has created one of many vaccines approved for rollout in the EU, is due to begin clinical trials for a new Covid-19 vaccine designed specifically to tackle the issue of new mutant strains of coronavirus like those discovered in the UK and South Africa.
Photo: Eric Garcetti / Flickr Licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Trials show the US pharmaceutical company's original vaccine is still effective against these new strains, but the company want to be extra sure they can immunise against the new variants.
Read more: Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine shown to be effective against UK strain
Its research suggests the neutralising antibody response to the South African strain was six times lower than normal, which could present a threat to older people.
Moderna is the first vaccine maker to announce new precautions undertaken to neutralise mutant strains after having its vaccine approved for rollout in the US, UK and EU.
Stéphane Bancel, Moderna chief executive, told the FT the company was preparing for the worst-case scenario.
He added: "I have little concern for the vaccine's efficacy in the coming months. If something needs to be done in the summer, we'll do something, but we cannot be late.
“We don’t want the virus to win, we want the human race to win.”
The trials will involve a few thousand participants and the company will work in tandem with the US National Institutes of Health to ensure things go smoothly.
The trial's participants will be split into two groups, those who are given a shot of the new vaccine then a shot of the original vaccine, and those who are given two shots of the new vaccine. The trials will also test to see what dosage is required for a booster.
Scientists in South Africa have warned all vaccine candidates are likely to be less effective against new strains owing to an extra mutation in the spike proteins the virus uses to enter human cells.
Supply of vaccines is currently tight in the US owing to a lax response from former President Donald Trump.
New President Joe Biden has put tackling coronavirus "at the top of his agenda".
In a world of vaccine hysteria, some companies are offering an impetus to get the vaccine.
Lidl US is offering a $200 pay rise for employees who get the vaccine as part of their initiative to ensure all employees receive full health coverage.
Read more: Lidl US offers $200 extra pay for employees who get the coronavirus vaccine
Furthermore, the UK's aviation sector has hoped vaccines will help get the travel sector up and running again but have also proposed mandatory Covid testing as a way to ensure passengers do not intentionally spread coronavirus on flights.
They also hope this can reduce the fear of contracting the disease which may still be a significant hindrance for a number of industries.
Despite these hopes, companies like Ryanair and KLM have had to reduce or stop flights entirely due to new lockdown restrictions.
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