THE UNION JACCINE
No 10 ‘wanted flag on vials from Britain’
DOWNING Street reportedly pushed for the Union Jack to be put on every Oxford vaccine dose.
Officials are said to have suggested the injection kits – developed by the university with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca – be branded with the flag.
The idea received strong backing from Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Business Secretary Alok Sharma, according to the Huffington Post.
It is understood the plan was initially thought up by No10’s new ‘Union unit’, which is tasked with tackling calls for Scottish independence and other campaigns to break up the UK.
Yesterday Downing Street said there were no plans to put the Union Jack on doses – but did not deny the request had been made. A spokesman for the Government said: ‘Manufacturing for some of the leading potential vaccines is already under way so they can be rolled out quickly if approved.
‘Manufacturers are well-versed in the best way to package products like this.’ It is thought Boris Johnson’s aides hoped promoting the British success of the Oxford vaccine would boost the country’s standing around the world.
In addition, a Whitehall official told Huff-Post UK there has been ‘renewed interest’ in recent months on gaining support for the Union. ‘It is something we have to be constantly mindful of,’ she said. ‘[We] are trying to keep the Union intact.’
Other Westminster insiders are said to believe using the ‘GB’ brand would boost confidence in the public amid the antivaccine movement.
The Oxford vaccine was found to be 70 per cent effective on average, rising to 90 per cent with a low-dose jab followed by a standard booster. Researchers now plan more global tests to assess the drug further.