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Coronavirus pandemic

WHO studies effectiveness of vaccines against ‘British’ COVID strain

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on December 19 announced that, according to the current findings, the new strain might be 70% more contagious

© Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP

MOSCOW, January 13. /TASS/. Lack of effectiveness of vaccines against the UK strain of the coronavirus has not been confirmed so far, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to study these issues, Melita Vujnovic, WHO representative in Russia, told TASS on Wednesday.

"Great Britain reported that the new strain is more contagious but so far there is no information that it causes a more severe form of the disease or that vaccines developed against it are less effective," she said.The representative pointed out that studies of these issues continue. "Currently the new version is determined by the presence of 14 mutations some of which may influence the degree of contagiosity of the virus, that is, its ability to be transmitted from a sick to a healthy person, or of severity of the disease," she added.

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Iran has warned US that Israeli response would set off harsh retaliation — minister

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Increased partnerships within SCO reflect organization's appeal — secretary-general

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Iran says it won’t prevent return of Russian sailor from seized ship — MFA

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Russian security chief urges measures against 'ethnic enclaves' in Russia

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