The UK Government has signed a deal for a further 40 million doses of Valneva’s vaccine.

The decision to purchase 40 million extra doses is based on the UK’s strategy to take a wide approach, using different technologies and viral targets to ensure the UK has the best chance of securing access to successful vaccines as quickly as possible. It also gives the UK flexibility should it need to revaccinate any of the population.

Valneva’s coronavirus vaccine is currently in phase I/II trials and will still need to meet the necessary safety and effectiveness standards and receive regulatory approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) before it is rolled out at the end of the year. However, if it is approved, the UK will be able to roll the vaccine out across the country quicker.

The UK Government has invested a multi-million sum in Valneva’s manufacturing facility in West Lothian, which began manufacturing vaccine doses last week. The site is already supporting 100 new highly-skilled local jobs for scientists and technicians.