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BBC OS: 2021/02/08 16:06 GMT: Covid-19 variants and AstraZeneca

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Covid-19 variants and AstraZeneca

2021/02/08 16:06 GMT

2021/02/08 16:06 GMT: Covid-19 variants and AstraZeneca

BBC World Service - BBC OS, Covid-19 variants and AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca vaccine found to be less effective against the South African variant

South Africa has put its rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on hold after a study showed "disappointing" results against its new Covid variant. Scientists say the variant accounts for 90% of new Covid cases in South Africa.  A trial found that the vaccine wasn't effective in mild cases of the disease.  But experts are hopeful that the vaccine will still be effective at preventing severe cases.  We have the latest developments on the story from our reporter in South Africa.

Also on the programme, our regular coronavirus expert Dr Eleanor Murray, answering listener questions about the virus.

And we head to the Netherlands where there's been a decision to freeze international adoptions. This follows a report by a government commission that's revealed abuses in the adoption system.  We talk to a local journalist there.

(Photo: Newspaper billboards in Johannesburg, South Africa, February 8, 2021. Credit Reuters/Sumaya Hisham)

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2021/02/08 16:06 GMT: Covid-19 variants and AstraZeneca

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