Global report: AstraZeneca chief believes Covid vaccine will work on variant strain

Pascal Soirot says firm has winning formula' to improve Oxford jab's efficacy, as countries across Europe roll out vaccination programs

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The head of the firm behind the Oxford Covid vaccine has said researchers believe the jab will be effective against the variant strain of the virus that was first found in the UK.

AstraZeneca chief executive, Pascal Soriot, told the Sunday Times more tests were needed to be sure, but hailed the discovery of what he called a winning formula" to improve the vaccine's efficacy.