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Vaccination

Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine on Brink of Approval Amid Push for Faster Rollout

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As regulators are set to approve the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, frontline NHS workers are expected to be among the first to receive the jab. The decision, which could be made as early as this week, would significantly accelerate the vaccination rollout across the UK. Despite initial concerns about its efficacy, AstraZeneca has announced plans to publish new data showing the vaccine's effectiveness is around 95 per cent. The Oxford jab is significantly cheaper than the Pfizer vaccine, with costs estimated to be around 10 times lower, and is easier to distribute due to its storage requirements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is poised to approve the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine this week, which would rapidly speed up the vaccination rollout across the UK.
  • The vaccine's effectiveness has been boosted to around 95 per cent, according to new data to be published by AstraZeneca.
  • The Oxford jab is significantly cheaper and easier to distribute than the Pfizer vaccine, making it ideal for mass rollouts to care homes.
  • The UK has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine, with millions of vials ready to be distributed immediately.
  • NHS workers will receive the Oxford jab first, with teachers and other frontline staff also expected to be prioritized for vaccination.
  • The Government aims to vaccinate 15 million people, which would be achieved by February and potentially bring an end to lockdowns.
  • Teachers' unions are pushing for teachers to be prioritized for immunization, citing concerns about keeping schools open while minimizing the spread of the virus.
  • Scientists argue that there is limited evidence to suggest that vaccinating teachers would prevent the spread of the virus in schools.

Statistics:

  • 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have been ordered by the UK government.
  • 15 million people could be vaccinated by February, potentially bringing an end to lockdowns.
  • The Oxford jab is around 10 times cheaper than the Pfizer vaccine.
  • 2,900 larger care homes in England with 50-70 beds are being prioritized first for vaccination.
  • Over 600,000 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as of Christmas Eve.

Sources:

  • The Mail on Sunday
  • The Daily Telegraph
  • The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  • Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Robert Halfon, Conservative MP and chairman of the education select committee
  • Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union
  • Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia
  • NHS England

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