The UK has entered a deal to manufacture 60 million doses of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine in England. Getty
The UK has entered a deal to manufacture 60 million doses of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine in England. Getty
The UK has entered a deal to manufacture 60 million doses of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine in England. Getty
The UK has entered a deal to manufacture 60 million doses of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine in England. Getty

Up to 60 million Novavax Covid-19 vaccines to be made in UK


  • English
  • Arabic

The UK has struck a deal with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline to manufacture tens of millions of doses of Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine in Britain.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said up to 60 million doses would be bottled at a factory at Barnard Castle, a town in north-eastern England.

GSK said it hoped the “fill and finish” process could begin as early as May.

In August, Britain struck a deal to buy 60 million doses of Novavax’s vaccine.

The vaccine is being assessed by Britain’s medicines regulator for approval.

If approved, it would bring the number of Covid-19 vaccines authorised for use in the UK to four, joining products made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

The agreement comes as the UK is involved in a public spat with the European Union, where the vaccination programme has been much slower, over the supply of doses.

The EU has threatened to restrict vaccine vials being exported from the bloc based on vaccination rates in the destination country.

Prof Paul Heath, chief investigator of the Novavax trials, said the doses announced as part of the deal should first be administered in the UK.

“That is what we’d really like to see because this has been tested in the UK population,” he told Sky News on Tuesday.

“There will be doses we can send to other countries, and as soon as we have done priority groups in the UK we should be contemplating sending spare doses to countries not in the same position we are in.”

Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said the UK would focus on vaccinating the whole of its adult population before it can provide any surplus shots to other countries, such as its close neighbour Ireland.

“I think our focus has to be to try and keep Britain safe. We want to work co-operatively as well with other countries but the main priority is to get the vaccine roll-out,” he said.

“Today we’ve got a crisis upon us, and it’s absolutely right that we should be focused on trying to deal with that in our own country and keeping our people safe, so that we can get back to a normal way of life.

The Novavax vaccine was shown this month to be 96 per cent effective against the original strain of the virus, and 86 per cent effective in protecting against the variant first identified in south-east England.

Novavax will manufacture some of the vaccine using Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies factories in Stockton-on-Tees, northern England.

Mr Johnson said production there had already started in anticipation of the vaccine’s approval.

“I’m delighted by GSK’s investment, which shows the strength of UK manufacturing, and will further boost our vaccine roll-out,” he said.

“The Vaccines Taskforce has worked hand in glove with business to successfully deliver vaccines to the whole of the UK, and this agreement will continue to support our approach.

“We remain on track to offer a first jab to all over-50s by 15 April, and all adults by the end of July, and I want to once again encourage everyone to come forward for a vaccine when you’re called.”

'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

The biog:

Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian 

Favourite food: Pizza 

Best food on the road: rice

Favourite colour: silver 

Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda

Favourite biking destination: Canada 

Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Leaderboard

63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)

64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)

66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)

67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)

68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)

69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

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.