A breakthrough has been made with vaccines, with a second vaccine that could be 94.5% effective.
British scientists have hailed the "tremendously exciting" news that a US coronavirus vaccine may prevent 94.5% of people from getting Covid-19.
The results come less than a week after similar results from Pfizer, and add to growing confidence that vaccines can help end the pandemic.
Interim data from the US firm Moderna suggests its vaccine is highly effective in preventing people getting ill and also works across all age groups, including the elderly.
The UK has not placed an order for the vaccine - which works in a similar way to Pfizer's - and it is unclear whether the British Government can get any stock.
But scientists said the news bodes well for other Covid-19 vaccines, with the one for Oxford University and UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca due to report in the coming days or weeks.
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Moderna intends to submit an application for an Emergency Use Authorisation with the US Food and Drug Administration shortly and will submit further data on the vaccine's effectiveness and safety.
Downing Street confirmed that talks were being held with Moderna about access to its vaccine, but stressed that the UK already had orders in place for other potential treatments.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The news from Moderna represents another significant step towards finding an effective Covid-19 vaccine.
"Advanced discussions are under way to secure doses for the UK.
"We have already secured early access to 350 million vaccine doses through agreements for six different vaccines, giving the UK the most likely chance of securing a safe and effective vaccine at the quickest speed.
"What we have done is prioritise agreements with vaccine developers who offer different types of vaccines, can provide early supply to the UK and have advanced manufacturing supply chains in place."
