Moderna vaccine is effective against California variant and produces antibodies for least 6 months

Moderna Inc’s coronavirus vaccine is effective against the California variant and its protection last for six months, two new studies find. In one study, researchers from Duke University found that the antibodies generated by Moderna’s jab had about two times less neutralizing power against the strain that was first discovered in the Golden State. While … Read more

Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is 91% effective after six months

Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is 91% effective after six months and protects against the South African variant Pfizer Inc and BioNTech said ongoing study of their COVID-19 vaccine shows it is around 91% effective at preventing the disease after six months The shot is also 100% effective in preventing illness in trial participants in … Read more

South African Covid variant makes current crop of vaccines 30% less effective, SAGE warns

The South African coronavirus variant may make vaccines 30 per cent less effective, the Government’s scientific advisers have warned. Analysis by SAGE found the strain can cause up to a 10-fold decrease in the production of antibodies in vaccinated or previously infected people. While antibodies are not the only part of the immune response against … Read more

US study finds Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is 100% effective against severe Covid

The Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is 100 per cent effective at keeping people out of hospital, a US study has confirmed. An extra trial of the vaccine in the US found it was more effective than it was in the UK research – preventing 79 per cent of all infections – and nobody got seriously ill. … Read more

LINDA KELSEY braved an embarrassing – but surprisingly effective – way of banishing bitterness

Lying fully dressed on my bed in the middle of the day, eyes closed, Donna Summer’s 1970s disco hit I Feel Love blasting through my headphones, is an unexpected consequence of life in lockdown. But here I am, 68 years old, doing ‘homework’ set under the genial direction of one Peter Lovatt, otherwise known as … Read more

AstraZeneca and Pfizer Covid vaccines more effective against Brazilian variant than initially feared

The coronavirus vaccines being rolled out in Britain work better against the Brazilian variant (pictured) than first feared The coronavirus vaccines being rolled out in Britain work better against the Brazilian variant than first feared, research suggests. An Oxford University study found its vaccine and the jab made by Pfizer perform just as well against … Read more

Oxford and Pfizer’s Covid vaccines more effective against Brazilian variant than initially feared

The coronavirus vaccines being rolled out in Britain work better against the Brazilian variant (pictured) than first feared The coronavirus vaccines being rolled out in Britain work better against the Brazilian variant than first feared, research suggests. An Oxford University study found its vaccine and the jab made by Pfizer perform just as well against … Read more

Cotton face masks are more effective against Covid-19 than synthetic coverings

Cotton face masks are more effective against Covid-19 than synthetic coverings as the humidity in your BREATH helps the fabric to trap particles, study finds Cotton masks get better at filtering out particles when exposed to humid breath  The fibres absorb water and improve filtration by between 12 and 45 per cent Cotton masks are better at filtering … Read more

Covid: Opening windows is ‘much more effective’ than face masks in primary school, SAGE adviser says

There is no evidence having schools open drives the spread of coronavirus in the wider community in the UK, SAGE advisers said last week. In a study of pupil and teacher absences caused by positive Covid tests, researchers said confirmed infections in schools did not lead to bigger outbreaks. Instead, they said there were small signs … Read more

Oxford/AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine IS effective for over 65s

More evidence is emerging that the Oxford Covid vaccine works in older people, according to vaccine experts in the UK. Sir Munir Pirmohamed, boss of the Commission on Human Medicines, today said regulators had received extra information from Oxford University and AstraZeneca scientists to prove their jab was safe and effective for over-65s. The data, … Read more