Moderna says that its coronavirus vaccine is effective against the new variants discovered in South Africa and the UK.
The biotechnology company conducted tests on the vaccine against the emerging strains of the virus.
Research found that the variants had “showed no significant impact” on the neutralising properties of the vaccine.
A total of 17 million doses have been pre-ordered for use across the UK, but they are not expected to arrive until spring.
The company will carry out tests on an altered booster version of the vaccine for the variant discovered in South Africa.
Tests had shown that the vaccine may produce a diminished antibody response to the strain.
It will also test an additional booster shot of its authorised vaccine in trials to see if it boosts antibody reaction against the South Africa variant.
The current regimen is for two shots four weeks apart.
Moderna said that it was being cautious and that the two-dose regimen of the vaccine was still expected to be protective against the South African and other variants detected to date.
The company said the vaccine did not see any impact from the UK variant - which has been shown to be more transmissible - in the tests.
It also plans to publish data from its tests against the South African and U.K. variants on the website bioRxiv.
The latest data from the Scottish Government shows that 415,402 people have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine - 5,538 of which have now moved on to their second.
Nicola Sturgeon revealed today that the government is on track to cover the over-70s by the middle of February.
The First minister said that 95% of the oldest care home residents have been seen, while 46% of over-80s had the jab.
