The UK has ordered another 40 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine developed by the French company Valneva as the government prepares for the likelihood that multiple injections will be needed to keep the virus under control.
Britain had ordered 60 million and retains the option of 90 million more. The total value of the 190 million doses is 1.4 billion euros (1.7 billion dollars), Valneva said in a statement.
If the UK exercises all of its options, Valneva deliveries would continue until 2025, the company said. The vaccine, to be manufactured in Scotland, is still undergoing clinical trials and has not been approved by regulators.
“The Valneva vaccine shows the best of the Scottish experience right at the heart of our UK vaccine effort, demonstrating the strength of our union and what the UK can achieve when working together,” said the Secretary for Health , Matt Hancock. “If the vaccine is authorized by the regulator, it will be implemented in the four nations as quickly as possible.”
Britain has seen the deadliest coronavirus outbreak in Europe, with more than 106,000 dead, but it is pushing ahead with one of the fastest vaccination programs in the world.
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