Big step, but let’s help the whole world

WE’RE halfway there! Britain has passed a critical milestone in the fight against coronavirus.

Half of the UK population has had a first injection and more than 12 million of us are now fully immunised with both jabs.

It is an enormous ray of hope as we head into a summer that promises to be glorious, no matter what the weather brings

There is a real feeling of optimism. People out and about have a jauntier step. The pubs – or at least the outsides of them – are buzzing. The parks are dotted with picnickers. And many have flocked to the seaside to enjoy some spring sunshine.

Freedom is coming. But we must not forget: It’s not over yet. Scientists don’t know what level of vaccination is required to achieve the herd immunity that will protect everyone, including those who haven’t had it.

Oxygen

With every arm jabbed we are a step closer. But, as the World Health Organisation warns, Britain cannot be safe until the whole planet is safe.

Tragically, especially in India, the death tolls are eye-wateringly high and rising. There, and in other poor nations, vaccines and even oxygen are in short supply and hospitals are overrun.

In Britain, as hopes of foreign travel and bookings increase, we must do all we can to help.

We have donated more than £580million to the COVAX scheme to assist 180 nations with their vaccination programmes. Other countries are also doing their bit, but it is a race against time.

Scientists from Independent Sage, which monitors the UK crisis, is urging the Government to go further and force firms to share their vaccine formulas across the world.

Complicated and commercially fraught. But this is one crisis where we truly are in it together.