The first batch of the Moderna vaccine – approved by EU regulators yesterday (Wednesday) – is expected to arrive in Portugal “within days”, vaccine task force coordinator Francisco Ramos has told Lusa.
Authorities will now be defining how and where to implement the roll-out.
Right now, residents and staff in old people’s homes are being vaccinated apace in the country’s ‘first phase’ of a programme that will stretch well into this year.
The Moderna vaccine will be joining the BioNTech/ Pfizer vaccine which was authorised for use in Europe just before Christmas.
It works in the same way as BioNTech/ Pfizer’s product but is ‘easier to store’ as it doesn’t require such low temperatures.
The first 8,000 doses are scheduled to arrive during the week starting January 11, with another 11,000 expected two weeks later, during the week starting January 25.
Explain reports, this is another vaccine that has proven efficacy superior to 90% after clinical tests involving around 30,000 people over the age of 18.
The Moderna vaccine hasn’t yet been approved for use in UK, which has developed its own vaccine (Oxford University/ Astrazeneca) which also hasn’t yet been approved for use in Europe.
