A high-stakes shot shift in the U.K.

Here's the latest news: China approves first vaccine for use in general population Putin battles to sell Russia's vaccine in new rift with the West U.K. tells public to stay home for New Year's Eve celebrations A high-stakes shot shift in the U.K. The U.K. now has a second Covid-19 vaccine to tackle a worsening outbreak of the pandemic, after regulators cleared a shot from AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford. With hundreds of thousands of immunizations already in progress, using a vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, Britain is building on its status as a trailblazer in the global fight against the virus. Yet the way in which it's doing so is also raising questions. On the Astra-Oxford vaccine, the U.K. is moving well ahead of other western countries, including the U.S. and the European Union. It's given the green light based on clinical trials that involved a relatively small number of participants and that were marked by a dosing error. The mistake turned out to be fortuitous, turning up a regimen that showed better results than the prescribed dosage. In approving the vaccine, however, U.K. regulators opted for the conventional formula of two full shots, rather than the accidental version -- a half shot followed by a full one later. Instead, they added a new twist, spreading the interval between the two injections to as much as 12 weeks. This is an effort to get as many initial shots into vulnerable people's arms as quickly as possible, while supplies are still limited. The vaccine shows substantial effectiveness after a single dose, officials said, so it's better to maximize the breadth of coverage. With new Covid infections running at record levels and many U.K. hospitals swamped with patients, there's no time to lose. Still, the vaccine rollout is a delicate balancing act, pitting the need for speed against the imperative of upholding confidence. The changing narrative around the Astra-Oxford shot could test that equilibrium. U.S. regulators are waiting for more data before assessing the vaccine, which has some advantages over other coronavirus vaccines that have been approved: It's cheaper and it doesn't require deep-freezing. Those attributes will make it easier to roll out, not just in the U.K. but potentially to developing countries that have signed deals for hundreds of millions of doses. Britain will be a leader in vaccinating its citizens, but the stakes are high if its home-grown shot stumbles.--Eric Pfanner Vaccine Tracker More than 6 million shots given The biggest vaccination campaign in history has begun. More than 6 million doses in 26 countries have been administered, according to data collected by Bloomberg.   What you should read Sluggish Rollout Seen in U.S. Vaccine Campaign Roughly 13.5% of the U.S.'s stated goal for 2020 have been inoculated. McConnell Rules Out Passing House Relief Bill It would give most Americans $2,000 stimulus payments. What About Allergic Reactions to the Vaccine As with all new drugs, safety concerns and side effects are possible. Merkel Urges Discipline Amid Record Cases The German chancellor said perseverance would be needed. South Africa Reports Record Daily Infections Cases surge days after measures to slow a  second wave of infections. Know someone else who would like this newsletter? Have them sign up here. Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story. Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Follow Us Get the newsletter You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Coronavirus Daily newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022