UK Secures 2 Million More Coronavirus Vaccine Doses From Moderna

Moderna has supplied more than two million more doses of its coronavirus vaccine to the U.K. as the country prepares to roll out its COVID-19 inoculation program soon. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that the U.K.’s vaccine rollout could be “just days away.”

The 2 million additional doses of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine bring up the U.K. Department of Health’s total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses to 7 million. Moderna announced earlier this month that its coronavirus vaccine candidate had proven in clinical trials that it could be up to 95 percent effective in providing protection against COVID-19.

In his announcement on Sunday, Johnson revealed that the U.K. government would first refer Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine to the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Johnson said hospitals in England would be the first to receive the first doses of the yet-to-be-approved COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer, which could be rolled out on Dec. 7. The U.K. government also said healthcare workers and nursing home residents would be the first to benefit from the inoculation program, followed by citizens over the age of 80.

According to Johnson, the U.K. would purchase over 350 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine from seven different manufacturers once they are approved by the FDA. He also said officials would vaccinate “the vast majority of the people who need the most protection by Easter.”

The U.K. has recorded 58,000 deaths due to COVID-19. The country has the fifth most number of coronavirus-related deaths in the world.

Last week, U.K. scientists warned the public of a possible third wave of COVID-19 after Christmas. Experts said the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions over the Christmas season could lead to an increased transmission rate and unnecessary deaths.

“We are still in a country where we have got high levels of infection with COVID particularly in young people,” said two advisers to the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). “Bringing them together for hours, let alone days, with elderly relatives, I think, is a recipe for regret for many families. With the vaccine on the way, if we are not very careful over Christmas we are really in danger of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on this one.” They added.