BBC – “A new vaccine that protects against Covid-19 is nearly 95% effective, early data from US company Moderna shows. The results come hot on the heels of similar results from Pfizer, and add to growing confidence that vaccines can help end the pandemic. Both companies used a highly innovative and experimental approach to designing their vaccines. Moderna says it is a “great day” and they plan to apply for approval to use the vaccine in the next few weeks. However, this is still early data and key questions remain unanswered…”

We still do not know how long immunity will last as volunteers will have to be followed for much longer before that can be answered. There are hints it offers some protection in older age groups, who are most at risk of dying from Covid, but there is not full data. Mr Zaks told the BBC their data so far suggests the vaccine “does not appear to lose its potency” with age. And it is not known whether the vaccine just stops people becoming severely ill, or if it stops them spreading the virus too. All these questions will affect how a coronavirus vaccine is used…”