Yahoo News Everyone in UK ‘could be vaccinated by April’, according to reports
The vaccine rollout could begin in December
(PA)Everyone in the UK ‘could be vaccinated by April’ according to leaked documents.
Leaked NHS documents, seen by the Health Service Journal (HSJ), suggest that mass vaccination could begin before the end of January if supplies can be secured.
Under the plan, every adult who wants a jab could be vaccinated by early April, the HSJ said.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Downing Street Press briefing that the vaccine rollout could begin in December, if it is approved by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) .
But he cautioned that the speed of the roll-out would depend on the speed it could be manufactured.
He said: “If the regulator approves a vaccine we will be ready to start the vaccination next month with the bulk of roll-out in the new year.
“We are heading in the right direction but there is still a long way to go.”
Sir John Bell, who is part of the Oxford vaccine team, said he expects two or three jabs to be available by the new year.
Families could be allowed to meet for up to a week over Christmas
PAIt comes following reports that families could be allowed to meet for up to a week over Christmas as part of a UK-wide relaxation of coronavirus rules.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told a Downing Street briefing it was still too early to say what contact people will be able to have over the festive period, but it has been reported Boris Johnson is preparing to announce a plan next week for an easing of rules.
Several families could be allowed to join a bubble and to mix between December 22 and 28, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The newspaper said Mr Johnson will also warn the level of restrictions for the rest of next month would depend on how well the public obeys the current lockdown in England, which is due to end on December 2.
Mr Hancock said it was ‘too early’ to announce Christmas rules
PADowning Street declined to comment, but did not deny the report.
Addressing the coronavirus briefing on Friday, Mr Hancock said it would be a “boost” for the UK if a “safe, careful and sensible” set of plans could be agreed between the devolved nations.
He said: “Over Christmas I know how important it is that we have a system in place, a set of rules that both keeps people safe but also allows people to see their loved ones.”
Earlier this week Public Health England said Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) guidance had suggested each day of greater freedom could require five days of tighter measures.
But deputy chief medical officer for England Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, who also appeared at the briefing, said there is “no magic number” about how many days any easing of the rules might cost.
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