Over 50 deaths have been recorded in Wales today from coronavirus as a third vaccine has been given the go-ahead, it has been confirmed this lunchtime.

56 suspected Covid-19 deaths were recorded over the past 24 hours in Wales, taking the total number of fatalities since the pandemic began to 3,857.

Six of the deaths recorded today have been in the Hywel Dda region of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire with the total number of deaths now standing at 260.

Seven deaths have been recorded in the Betsi Cadwaladr region of North Wales with its total now standing at 609, while Powys recorded no new deaths with the total since the start of the pandemic remaining at 36.

20 new cases of the virus have been recorded in Ceredigion today, with Carmarthenshire recording 109 cases and Pembrokeshire recording 84 cases.

Powys has recorded 43 cases while Gwynedd, which has had a low number of coronavirus cases for several months, has today recorded 40 new cases.

But more positive news this lunchtime is that a third vaccine has been approved for use by UK regulators.

The Covid-19 vaccine developed by Moderna has today been given regulatory approval for supply by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

This follows a thorough and rigorous assessment by the MHRA’s teams of scientists, including advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines, which reviewed in depth all the data to ensure this vaccine meets the required standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

This is the third Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for use by the MHRA and is the second mRNA vaccine (the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approved in December 2020 is also an mRNA vaccine).

MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine said: “Today’s approval brings more encouraging news to the public and the healthcare sector.

“Having a third Covid-19 vaccine approved for supply following a robust and thorough assessment of all the available data is an important goal to have achieved and I am proud that the agency has helped to make this a reality.

“The progress we are now making for vaccines on the regulatory front, whilst not cutting any corners, is helping in our global fight against this disease and ultimately helping to save lives. I want to echo that our goal is always to put the protection of the public first.

“Once in use, all Covid-19 vaccines are continually monitored by the MHRA. This ensures that the benefits in protecting people against Covid-19 continue to far outweigh any potential side-effects.

“Meantime, even if you have had a vaccine it is vital that everyone follows the national lockdown restrictions and remembers ‘stay alert, protect the NHS and save lives’ at all times.”

This Moderna vaccine works by injecting a small part of the Covid-19 virus’ genetic code, which triggers an immune response and creates antibodies in the human body able to fight the virus.

The dosage for this specific vaccine requires two doses to be given.

It is recommended to administer the second dose 28 days after the first. It is approved for use in people 18 years and over, and it can be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women following a discussion with their healthcare provider on the benefits and risks. It can be stored at -20°C for up to six months.