THE Novavax Covid vaccine has been approved in the EU.

The jab which is being made in Billingham in Teesside, has been approved for adults by the The European Union's drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Earlier in the year, it was announced 60 million doses of the vaccine are to be made at Fujifilm in Billingham.

Novavax was designed around the original version of Covid, rather than the new Omicron variant.

Read more: Novavax vaccine: Billingham jab submitted for approval

Data from two large studies showed the vaccine has an efficacy of around 90%, the EMA said.

The EU has already signed a deal to buy up to 200 million doses of the two-shot vaccine.

The UK and US are still considering whether to licence its use.

The EMA said: "An authorization from the Commission would deliver the first protein-based vaccine to the EU during a critical time when we believe having choice among vaccines will lead to increased immunization."

According to results of a phase three trial in the UK, announced in March, the jab offers 100 per cent protection against severe disease, including all hospital admission and death.

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