Third dose trial, Cov-Boost study

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-571...

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-trac...

FDA, Pfizer storage

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press...

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)