United Kingdom approves use of AstraZeneca Oxford COVID vaccine

LONDON: Britain on Wednesday became the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca as the country is now battling a new strain of Coronavirus.

Informing about the decision, the health ministry said, “The government has today accepted the recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for use.”

ALSO READ: India extends ban on flights from UK till Jan 7

The COVID pandemic has killed more than 1.7 million people around the globe since it began in Chinese city Wuhan, a year back.

Meanwhile, India on Wednesday decided to extend its ban on flights from UK till January 7 next year, following the detection of cases of the new COVID-19 strain in the country.

The development came after 20 UK returnees tested positive for new COVID-19 variant, which is suspected to be 20% more infectious.

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