December 2020
Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine approved by UK regulator
The Guardian reports the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved by the UK medicines regulator, opening up the possibility of rapidly scaling up vaccination against Covid-19, especially for elderly people in care homes. The Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine only requires normal refrigeration at 2-8C and is easily transported, therefore rollout to GP practices and care homes will be quicker. The UK has ordered 100 million doses, of which 4 million are expected to be available within the next few days. Meanwhile, BBC Online reports Margaret Keenen, who was the first person in the world to be given the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, has received the second dose three weeks after the first.