DIAL-A-JAB FOR OVER-70s
MATT HANCOCK yesterday urged everyone over 70 to call the NHS if they have not yet been given an appointment for their coronavirus vaccine.
The health secretary said the UK is on course to inoculate all 15million of its most vulnerable people by the February 15 target.
His comments came as Boris Johnson insisted the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab would bring down the death rate despite fears over its effectiveness against new mutant strains.
Mr Hancock said he was ‘thrilled’ to see the enthusiasm of those coming forward for a jab but told the Downing Street press conference: ‘From today, everyone aged 70 and above in England should contact the NHS if they have not got an appointment yet.’
Dr Nikki Kanani, of NHS England, said the message for over-70s had changed from ‘we will contact you’ to ‘contact us’. She added: ‘The vaccination programme is the most incredible we’ve had in our history, but we don’t want anybody to get left behind.’
The Covid death toll rose by 333 yesterday – the lowest daily figure for six weeks – as the number of first doses reached 12.3million. Nearly one in four adults have now had their first dose of a vaccine, increasing to 91 per cent of the over-80s and 95 per cent of 75 to 79-year-olds.
Mr Hancock said take-up was ‘significantly better’ than expected but he was warned about anti-vax rumours as it emerged that a jab centre in Hackney, east London, has cut its hours because too few people are coming forward.
‘We’ve got a lot of work to do to ensure people get the truth about the vaccine,’ warned Donna Kinnair, of the Royal College of Nursing.
The Oxford vaccine has a ‘minimal effect’ in stopping mild and moderate illness in people infected by the South African Covid strain, showed a study by the country’s Witwatersrand university. But Mr Johnson said: ‘All the vaccines we’re using, we think, deliver a high degree of protection against serious illness and death.’
Just 147 cases of the variant have been confirmed in the UK but the total is estimated to be up to 20 times greater. Intensive testing is being done in 11 areas where it has been detected. England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said there was no evidence that it transmits more easily or will become dominant. Scientists said the South African study provides no evidence on whether the Oxford vaccine stops the new variant causing serious illness. But they said the jab can be adapted by the autumn to deal with the threat if needed. ‘The data will come thick and fast,’ said Prof Danny Altmann, of Imperial College London. Intensive tests are be carried out in parts of Greater Manchester after a variant was discovered, it was revealed last night.