A “war capacity” of global vaccine manufacturing will ensure populations are less vulnerable to future pandemics, the head of US vaccine provider Novavax said.
Efforts are under way to launch the Novavax protein-based Covid-19 vaccine candidate that has proven 89 per cent effective against the virus, with a commitment to deliver a billion doses to the global Covax initiative.
Trials conducted in the US, UK and South Africa have proven effective against new coronavirus strains, with focus to be placed on low to middle income nations where vaccines have been scarce up to now.
While 100 days could be a challenge, developing a new vaccine in anything under a year is still impressive
“We are trying to get the vaccine out as quickly as possible,” said Stanley Erck, president and chief executive of Novavax.
“We started working on pandemic vaccines a decade ago. This is our third coronavirus vaccine after Sars and Mers, all using the same platform, using the same spike protein.
“Once the first efficacy data was out from Pfizer and Moderna that was phenomenal news.
“It gave us the confidence that spike protein was the right way to go.
“It has been a great example of what the industry can do.”
Novavax is a two-dose vaccine stored in a standard refrigerator with high potential to distribute to low to middle income counties from 10 sites across the world, manufacturing 150 million doses a month.
A first approval is likely in the UK where a phase three trial has completed with 96 per cent efficacy against the original Wuhan strain of the virus.
The vaccine has proven to be 86 per cent effective against the UK strain and more than 50 per cent effective on the South African strain of Covid-19.
The only way to stop deaths is to share vaccines around the world
“The issue for the future to have vaccines on a faster basis will remain a challenge,” said Mr Erck.
“While 100 days could be a challenge, developing a new vaccine in anything under a year is still impressive.
“A global networks of manufacturing capacity is being built up, with 'war capacity' plans that can be turned on overnight.”
In 2019 the World Health Organisation said vaccine hesitancy was one of the biggest threats to global health.
A further challenge to worldwide immunisation is that the majority of vaccines - some 75 per cent - produced so far have been delivered to just 10 nations.
“The only way to stop deaths is to share vaccines around the world,” said Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist, WHO.
“It has been an unprecedented scientific accomplishment that will set the bar higher for the future with new pathogens.
“This has come from investment over the last decade into new R&D platforms that have allowed us to re-engineer existing vaccines with the new genetic sequences for Covid-19.
“The enormous collaboration between governments, academia and the private sector to facilitate clinical trials has been hugely significant.”
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Arctic Monkeys
Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
ELECTION%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3EMacron%E2%80%99s%20Ensemble%20group%20won%20245%20seats.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20second-largest%20group%20in%20parliament%20is%20Nupes%2C%20a%20leftist%20coalition%20led%20by%20Jean-Luc%20Melenchon%2C%20which%20gets%20131%20lawmakers.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20far-right%20National%20Rally%20fared%20much%20better%20than%20expected%20with%2089%20seats.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20centre-right%20Republicans%20and%20their%20allies%20took%2061.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dunki
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rajkumar%20Hirani%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Taapsee%20Pannu%2C%20Vikram%20Kochhar%20and%20Anil%20Grover%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Section 375
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Meera Chopra & Rahul Bhat
Director: Ajay Bahl
Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak & SCIPL
Rating: 3.5/5
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
