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UK become the 1st country to approve Omicron Vaccine

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    World Affairs
  • Published
    17th Aug, 2022

Context

The UK became the world's first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for both the Omicron variant and the original coronavirus strain.


Key-Highlights 

  • The 'bivalent' vaccine has been made by US drugmaker Moderna.
  • An updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna that targets two coronavirus variants (known as a “bivalent” vaccine) has been approved for adult booster doses by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
  • Conditional authorisation for the vaccine was granted by “Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority”. 
    • It was also the first authority worldwide to approve the original Covid-19 vaccine.
  • Authorized vaccine caters to the original as well as Omicron BA.1 strain of the coronavirus.
  • It has been authorised for use among people aged above 18.
  • Now the UK will focus on its booster programme for people aged over 50 and who are highly vulnerable to developing Covid.

About Omicron Variant

  • Omicron B.1.1.529 is a variant of SARS-CoV-2. 
  • Network for Genomics Surveillance had first reported this variant in South Africa in November 2021. 
  • The first case was detected in Botswana and has now spread across the world to become a predominant variant in circulation. 
  • Apart from the original BA.1 variant, many subvariants viz., BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5 have emerged over time. 
  • In order to protect against severe disease and hospitalisation caused due to BA.1 and BA.2 variants of Omicron, 3 doses of covid-19 vaccine are provided. 
    • BA.4 and BA.5 variants are more infectious as compared to other subvariants.

Verifying, please be patient.

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