Wednesday evening news briefing: Covid vaccine 'may not work for everyone'

Chris Price
·6-min read
Angela Merkel has announced new lockdown measures in Germany -  Getty Images
Angela Merkel has announced new lockdown measures in Germany - Getty Images

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First coronavirus vaccine 'might not prevent infection'

The first Covid-19 vaccines are "likely to be imperfect" and "might not work for everyone", the chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce has said. Kate Bingham said no vaccine in the history of medicine "has been as eagerly anticipated" but she cautioned against over-optimism and highlighted that a vaccine might not work for everyone, or for very long. Her piece in the Lancet comes as the Prime Minister faces growing pressure to implement tougher Covid measures. The former chief scientific adviser to the Government has said the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 could more than double within weeks.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph understands the whole of Nottinghamshire is to enter Tier 3 restrictions - but not until Friday. It all does not bode well for the chances of a normal Christmas. Here is what a Covid festive season could look like.

Across the Channel, President Emmanuel Macron is expected tonight to announce a national lockdown of at least a month from midnight on Thursday after 523 people died of Covid-19 on Tuesday, France's highest toll since April. Another 310 people have died in the UK from the virus in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, Germany has announced a new range of far-reaching lockdown measures amid skyrocketing coronavirus cases across the country. Read what else is happening on the Covid continent.

Family drowned in Channel after warnings to stay put

A family of five, including a 15-month old boy, perished attempting to cross the Channel from France to Britain after warnings from family and a fellow migrant that it was too dangerous. The Kurdish family, from Sardasht city in Iran, are among up to seven people now feared dead in what is the worst disaster involving migrants attempting the perilous crossing. It is the first involving the deaths of children.

According to family members cited by Kurdish news reports, the father was Rasoul Irannazhad, a 35-year-old construction worker. He, his wife Shewa Mohammed Panahi, 25, and their children, Anita, Armin and Artin, aged nine, six, and 15 months respectively, who are pictured here, all died.

Duchess of Sussex's bid to end Mail on Sunday claim

The Duchess of Sussex has applied to have her privacy and copyright claims against the Mail on Sunday decided by a judge now, avoiding the need for a trial. Her legal team will tomorrow ask for summary judgment to be handed down in lieu of the trial, which is scheduled to begin in January, arguing the newspaper has no chance of success. It is also considering an application to strike out the privacy aspect of the case.

If successful, it would mean the Duchess, 39, would no longer have to give evidence, or face her father in court. Read on for details.

At a glance: Latest coronavirus headlines

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Costly dog walk | When throwing a ball for a restless dog during the daily walk, it would never cross the owner's mind that this could result in a lawsuit and a £50,000 payout. Yet this was the case for investment banker Carina Read, who merrily chucked the toy for her cocker spaniel, Felix, causing him to run into the path of 70-year-old David Crane, who flew over the handlebars of his bike and onto the floor. Read more.

Around the world: Trump and Biden's family trees

Joe Biden channelled FDR in Warm Springs, Georgia, where he hopes to break the long-standing Republican hold on the state. His speech likened the crises in the US - a pandemic and an economic crash - to those faced by former president Franklin D Roosevelt. Ben Riley-Smith has this dispatch. But who is the man who could be the next US president? Katie Russell examines Mr Biden's family tree and how tragedy shaped him. Alice Hall gives the same treatment to the incumbent Donald Trump, and analyses the key influences that shaped the President.

Wednesday interview

'We were never trying to make idols of the characters in Hamilton'

Lin-Manuel Miranda -  Alex Bailey
Lin-Manuel Miranda - Alex Bailey

As His Dark Materials returns, Lin-Manuel Miranda talks diversity, JK Rowling and #CancelHamilton with Chris Harvey

Read the full interview

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. Country living | Why fleeing the city may blow your budget

  2. Unable to get out of first gear? | Welcome to midlife inertia - but it's no bad thing

  3. Chrissy Teigen | I know the grief of miscarriage - she shouldn't have to hide it

Business and money briefing

Oxford Street | John Lewis has been granted permission to turn almost half of its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street into office space as it tries to restore the business to profitability. Read on for details.

Sport briefing

Six Nations | Our writers have selected their XVs for England to take on Italy in Rome - and you can pick yours. Charlie Morgan analyses how breakdown changes will influence England's back-row selection.

Tonight's TV

Damilola: The Boy Next Door, Channel 4, 9pm | This captivating film sees successful radio DJ Yinka Bokinni return to Peckham where 20 years ago, her neighbour and close friend Damilola Taylor was stabbed to death in a stairwell. Read on for more.

And finally... for this evening's downtime

'Keep calm and carry on – or die' | Did a cult art project inspire the Government's Covid posters? Cal Revely-Calder meets Richard Littler, creator of the fictional, warped town of 'Scarfolk'.

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