Johnson still has faith in vaccines
BORIS Johnson said he is “very confident” in the coronavirus vaccines after concerns were raised that the Oxford/astrazeneca jab may be less effective against the South African variant.
But the Prime Minister did not rule out the strain could delay the relaxation of lockdown restriction, instead insisting he has “no doubt that vaccines generally are going to offer a way out”.
Experts warned yesterday it is “very possible” the strain is already quite widespread in the UK after a study of around 2,000 people suggested the Oxford jab only offers minimal protection against mild disease of the South Africa variant.
The study, due to the young age of participants, could not conclude whether the vaccine worked against severe disease.
Some 147 cases of the South African variant have so far been identified in the UK, with experts warning these are likely to be the “tip of the iceberg” due to the fact they are the result of random checks on 5% to 10% of all positive tests.
During a visit to a coronavirus test manufacturing facility in Derby, the Prime Minister told reporters: “We’re very confident in all the vaccines that we’re using. And I think it’s important for people to bear in mind that all of them, we think, are effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness and death, which is the most important thing.”
Earlier Dr Mike Tildesley, a scientist advising the Government, warned that restrictions may be needed for longer if the South African variant does turn out to be prevalent in the UK.
Mr Johnson did not rule out that there could be a delay to easing restrictions if the Oxford/astrazeneca has a reduced effect on preventing infections, and therefore on hindering the transmission of Covid-19.
But he said: “They remain of massive benefit to our country and to the population as we go through the pandemic and I’ve no doubt that vaccines generally are going to offer a way out.
“With every day that goes by, you can see that medicine is slowly getting the upper hand over the disease.”
Mr Johnson insisted the nation will be “relying very much on border controls” to protect against new strains, but that they will be “most effective” when infection rates are brought down.
His comments came as Downing Street admitted that no formal contracts have been awarded to hotels for arrivals from “red list” countries to quarantine in – with the policy due to be introduced in England on February 15.
Meanwhile, health minister Edward Argar said that booster jabs to tackle new strains are already in the pipeline.
Dr Tildesley, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-m), said “surge testing” currently taking place must be effective to stop the South African strain proliferating in the UK, but when asked if it may already be quite widespread, he replied: “It’s very possible.”