Third dose trial, Cov-Boost study
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57174733
Need for third dose autumn or winter?
Factors
Variants and vaccine efficacy
Longevity of protection
Trial starts in June
N = 3,000
All ages who had their first dose in December or January
Prof Saul Faust, chief investigator, University of Southampton
It could be that some age groups may not need a booster and others do
The aim is to find out whether there should be a booster campaign
and which vaccine to use
Vaccines to be trailed
AstraZeneca (adenovirus vector)
Pfizer (mRNA)
Moderna (mRNA)
Novavax (moth produced spike protein)
Janssen (adenovirus vector)
Valneva (inactivated virus)
CureVac (mRNA)
Half doses will also be tested
Placebo group
Hoped to protect against all current variants
18 sites across the UK
Participants will keep diaries of any side-effects
Immune assessments at one, three and twelve months
UK, variant hotspots to get
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57172139
Surge tests and vaccinations
Areas identified, analysing wastewater and travel patterns
an incredibly sensitive biosecurity surveillance system
India variant, = 2,967
Bedford
Burnley
Hounslow
Kirklees
Leicester
North Tyneside
Glasgow and Moray
UK official figures
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
First dose, 70.2%
Second dose, 39.6%
England and Wales, over 34s can now book
US
Variants
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions
FDA, Pfizer storage
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-brief-fda-authorizes-longer-time-refrigerator-storage-thawed-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine
FDA authorizing undiluted, thawed vials to be stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F) for up to 1 month
Up from 5 days
(8% not returned for second dose)
Source