German pharmaceutical company BioNTech says it is still unclear whether the current vaccine will be able to provide protection against the new variant of Covid-19 shown in the UK, but "scientifically, the immune response from this vaccine is very likely to work for the new version as well ”.
Ugur Sahin, executive director at BioNTech said further studies are needed to ensure the current vaccine works against the new strain. However, if the vaccine needs to be fixed, the company can do so in about 6 weeks, he added. However, the company is confident that its vaccine recently approved by the European drug regulator works against the new variant in the UK.
Sahin said the proteins in the coronavirus variant in the UK are 99% the same as those of other virus strains and that is why BioNTech has "scientific belief" that the vaccine will be effective.
At the moment, there is no real evidence that the new variant causes more serious illness, however many countries in Europe and beyond have restricted travel from the UK, including our country.
The BioNTech vaccine, developed jointly with US pharmaceutical company Pfizer, is authorized for use in more than 45 countries including Britain, the United States and the European Union.
Source: Euronews, Guardian
