Britain starts booster shot trial of different COVID-19 vaccines
May 20, 2021, 4:38 am

Britain starts booster shot trial of different COVID-19 vaccines

By Kate Kelland

UK launched a nationwide study on Wednesday to explore whether giving a third dose “booster” shot of coronavirus vaccines would be safe and effective in extending immune protection against COVID-19.

The trial, which targets to recruit nearly 3,000 participants, will look at seven different COVID-19 shots, some of which are previously approved by regulators and in wide use and others that are still in development.

British officials have been planning for the possibility of a booster vaccination campaign before the winter after initially targeting immunisation with a two-dose schedule for the whole adult population by the summer.

Major vaccine makers, as well as some policymakers in America, have also suggested that booster or even annual COVID-19 shots may be needed. However, some global health experts have questioned whether there is evidence to show such repeat vaccinations are necessary.

Saul Faust, a professor of paediatric immunology and infectious diseases at Britain’s Southampton University who will co-lead the trial, said its findings would inform vaccination strategy planners and politicians “in their decision on whether to boost anybody with a third at all, or - if they are going to get a booster - which vaccine might be used”.

The vaccines being evaluated include the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna COVID-19 shots previously being rolled out in the UK, as well as vaccines from Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, Valneva and CureVac for which Britain has future supply deals.

They will be given as third shots to people who have received two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca’s vaccine already, with initial findings expected in September.

“The data from this world-first clinical trial will help shape the plans for our booster programme later this year,” health minister Matt Hancock said.

Hancock also said Britain would host an in-person G7 health ministers meeting in Oxford on June 3-4, ahead of a leaders meeting later in the month.

Source: Reuters

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”