'No evidence' Pfizer-BioNTech Covid jab needs updating to protect against variants

10 May 2021, 16:35

There is no evidence the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 needs updating to protect against variants
There is no evidence the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 needs updating to protect against variants. Picture: PA Images
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

There is no evidence the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 needs updating to protect against variants, BioNTech has said.

In its financial and company update report, the German firm said: "To date, there is no evidence that an adaptation of BioNTech's current Covid-19 vaccine against key identified emerging variants is necessary."

However, the company said it had developed a "comprehensive strategy" to address any coronavirus variants in the future should the need arise.

READ MORE: Covid alert level lowered from four to three ahead of May 17 lockdown easing

It comes after laboratory results and real-life data suggested the drug can protect against catching the Covid variants currently in circulation, although less effectively when it comes to some, such as the South Africa variant.

However, experts believe the jab can still protect against severe disease and hospital admission - a view echoed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca when looking at their own vaccine.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been approved in multiple countries
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been approved in multiple countries. Picture: PA Images

The UK Government has ordered an extra 60 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine as part of its plans for a vaccination booster programme this autumn.

It is thought that the most vulnerable groups of people, including the elderly, will be offered another jab before next winter.

REVEALED: All the changes Boris Johnson is set to announce at 5pm press conference

The extra order brings the total number of Pfizer doses ordered by the UK to 100 million.

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