[ad_1]
The first wave of COVID-19 vaccines is unlikely to end the pandemic, the UK’s chief of vaccines told Sky News.
The UK has 340 million doses of six vaccine prototypes in its arsenal, more than any other country.
But Kate Bingham, who leads the Vaccine Task Force, said uncertainties remain about how much protection they provide and for how long. More candidates will still be needed, including some in early development.
“We are not done,” he said in an exclusive interview.
Live updates on coronavirus from the UK and around the world
Two vaccines are expected to release data from key phase 3 clinical trials in a few weeks
“The reason we have chosen a variety of vaccines is to maximize our chances of having at least one successful vaccine that works in the most vulnerable population.
“We are always looking for additional vaccines for delivery at different times or with a different immune profile.”
Two vaccines, manufactured by Oxford University/ AstraZeneca and BioNTech / Pfizer are expected to release data from key phase 3 clinical trials in a few weeks.
They must show whether the vaccines stop the spread of the virus or simply relieve symptoms.
But Ms Bingham said that even a vaccine that reduces the severity of the disease in vulnerable patients would still be worth it.
“A partially effective vaccine is better than no vaccine,” he continued.
“Influenza vaccines are 50% effective, but they are widely used and have a great impact on reducing the clinical impacts of influenza in the population.”
Ms Bingham has joined a trial of the Novavax vaccine at the Royal Free Hospital in London. She doesn’t know if it was the active vaccine or a saline dummy.
So far, more than 270,000 people have signed up to the Vaccine Research Registry in hopes of joining the trials. More volunteers from ethnic minorities are needed to test vaccines in a diverse population.
Kate Bingham believes that a partially effective vaccine is better than no vaccine
Ms Bingham said that the prolonged pause of a US trial of the Oxford vaccine, due to a possible adverse event, should not delay a decision by UK regulators on whether it is safe and effective to implement on this side. of the Atlantic. Trials in the UK and Brazil have already been authorized to continue.
She said she understood the desperation for a vaccine, particularly with the prospect of lengthy local closures during the winter.
“The comfort I can give is that we have four of our six vaccines now in phase 3 efficacy trials, so we have vaccines that have progressed rapidly towards the final stage of efficacy testing,” he said.
“We have not seen serious safety signs that have stopped these vaccines altogether. Of course, there will be safety issues, but these are carefully monitored.”
Professor Jonathan Ball, a vaccine expert at the University of Nottingham, said it all depends on the good results of phase 3 trials. Antibody levels drop rapidly after an actual COVID infection. If the same thing happens with a vaccine, it may only protect for a month or two.
:: Subscribe to the daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
“At the moment we have no protection against COVID-19 not at all, and for older people, especially those with diseases like obesity and diabetes, this is a serious disease.
“So if we can give people hope, that’s important, but it can’t be false hope.
“We have to be sure that these vaccines do what we intend.”
