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UK coronavirus news: Boost for vaccine in Oxford trial as Northern Ireland faces tougher lockdown

 (PA)
(PA)

Phase two trials of the University of Oxford coronavirus vaccine have shown it to trigger a strong immune response in people over 60, with results from the final stage of tests expected within weeks.

It came as Stormont agreed to extend Northern Ireland’s circuit-breaker lockdown for a further two weeks, adding non-essential retailers to the list of businesses that will have to close.

Meanwhile, reports suggest households might be allowed to mix indoors for a five-day period from Christmas Eve, with ministers considering plans to allow three or four households to form bubbles.