direct to your inboxThe Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is effective against the new variant of coronavirus discovered in the UK, a new study suggests.Oxford University researchers say the vaccine they developed has a similar efficacy against the new variant, compared with the original strain of Covid-19.Experts had been concerned about whether or not the vaccines currently being administered throughout the UK would be effective against the strain that emerged after trials had been conducted.The preprint also describes analysis which suggests vaccination with the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab results in a reduction in the duration of shedding and viral load, which may translate into a reduced transmission of the disease.Andrew Pollard,.