The vaccine will continue to work against the new variant: UK Health Secretary

In a virtual interaction with the Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care of UK, Matt Hancock has said that the vaccine will continue to work against the new variant.

On asked what the level of trouble is that he has apprehended due to the new virus, Hancock said, “On the new variant, we have a reasonable degree of confidence that the new variant is no more resistance to the vaccine. We do think that the vaccine will continue to work.

Hancock also said that the UK health department is testing it in the lab and in the field. “We have vaccinated over half a million people including many in areas where the strain is dominant,” He said.

He also added that the new strain is more contagious and transmissible. “You have seen the figure it is 70 percent more transmissible,” Hancock said.

The Health Minister tweeted a video of his conversation with Hancock with a message, “Held an insightful virtual interaction with Secretary of State for Health & Social Care of UK, Rt Hon'ble Mr @Matt Hancock, yesterday.”

“We discussed strengthening India-UK ties in the health sector, India's preparedness for rolling out #COVID19 #vaccine & new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the UK,” Vardhan added.

The Health Minister told Hancock that while #COVID19 vaccine development has been expedited, protocols ensuring its safety & efficacy have not been compromised.

“India has vast experience in producing vaccines, we are committed to making the COVID #vaccine affordable & accessible to people across the world,” the Minister said.