Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Pfizer awaits UK’s approval for use of Covid-19 vaccine in adolescents

PFIZER is seeking approval from Britain for the use of its COVID-19 vaccine among 12- to 15 years old.

The company has submitted data to the health regulator, paving the way for the vaccination of adolescents in the country.


"I can confirm we've submitted data on the efficacy of the vaccine in 12 to 15 year olds for review by U.K. MHRA," an official for the U.S. drugmaker told Reuters.

United States and Canada have already approved Pfizer’s vaccine developed along with Germany's BioNTech for use against COVID-19 infections in children and young adults.

The drugmakers have said their shot is safe, effective, and produced robust antibody responses in children as young as 12 years of age.

Health officials are banking on vaccines to end the pandemic, but are worried that some parents will be hesitant in vaccinating their children due to fears of potential side effects and long-term risks. Kids under 12 have so far been less susceptible to COVID-19.

The vaccine, which uses mRNA technology to deliver instructions to the human body to build immunity against the illness, is also being tested in children aged two to 11. The safety and efficacy data expected in September, Pfizer said.

Although other drugmakers, including AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, are working on vaccines for children. However, Pfizer and BioNTech have managed to steal a march.

Comirnaty vaccine manufactured by Pfizer is also under an EU review for use in children aged 12 to 15 years, with the head of the region's medicines regulator saying an approval could come as early as end-May.

More For You

Adress-Akhter

Both candidates have come under scrutiny following a report that highlights their controversial past remarks. (Photo credit: Muslim Council of Britain)

Candidates for Muslim council leadership face scrutiny over past remarks

TWO candidates, Dr Muhammad Adrees and Dr Mohammed Wajid Akhter, are contesting to become the secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the largest representative body for British Muslims.

Both candidates have come under scrutiny following a report by the Policy Exchange think tank, which highlights their controversial past remarks.

Keep ReadingShow less
deepfakes-iStock

Perpetrators could face up to two years in prison under the new provisions, according to the Ministry of Justice. (Representational image: iStock)

UK to criminalise creation and sharing of explicit deepfakes

THE UK government plans to introduce new criminal charges against those who create and share sexually explicit deepfake images, aiming to strengthen protections for women and girls, a minister said on Tuesday.

The proposed measures will also make it a criminal offence to take intimate images without consent or install equipment to facilitate such actions. Perpetrators could face up to two years in prison under the new provisions, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Keep ReadingShow less
McDonald's-UK-Getty

General view of a McDonald's restaurant on Market Street on July 20, 2023 in Manchester. (Photo: Getty Images)

McDonald's UK faces harassment lawsuit from over 700 young workers

MORE than 700 young workers have filed a lawsuit against McDonald's UK, alleging harassment, law firm Leigh Day announced on Tuesday.

The claims follow a 2023 media investigation that exposed widespread issues within the company.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK-snow-Getty

A car is driven along the snow-covered Woodhead pass between Woodhead and Homlfirth, in the Peak District in northern England on January 7. (Photo: Getty Images)

Record cold expected as flood warnings persist

THE COUNTRY is experiencing a spell of wintry weather, with temperatures expected to drop significantly over the next two days, potentially reaching as low as -20 degrees Celsius in some areas.

The BBC reported that weather forecasters predict the coldest nights of the year, following heavy snowfall over the weekend.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sanghera: Enablers let abuse flourish at Harrods and Church
Jasvinder Sanghera (Photo by Jon Bond - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sanghera: Enablers let abuse flourish at Harrods and Church

A PROMINENT British Asian campaigner against forced marriages and abuse, has spoken out about her recent work tackling two major British institutional abuse cases, while reflecting on her own journey from surviving honour abuse to becoming a national advocate for victims.

Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, who currently serves as an independent advocate for nearly 300 people who have accused former Harrods owner Mohamed Fayed of abuse, says the department store case reveals a pattern of enablers.

Keep ReadingShow less