NORMALITY ON THE WAY
LIFE might start returning to some sort of normality by Easter after it was announced up to three vaccines could be available by the New Year.
A scientific adviser has said he is “quite optimistic” that enough Covid- 19 vaccinations could be carried out, provided authorities do not “screw up” distribution of the jab.
Sir John Bell, of Oxford University, told MPS the vaccines announcement by Pfizer and Biontech was very promising.
He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if we hit the New Year with two or three vaccines, all of which could be distributed. And that’s why I’m quite optimistic of getting enough vaccinations done in the first quarter of next year that by spring things will start to look much more normal than they do now.”
He added: “That’s provided they don’t screw up the distribution of the vaccine.”
Immunotherapy specialists Ugur Sahin, 55, and wife Özlem Tureci, 53, the co- founders of German biotech firm Biontech are the frontrunners in the race to market a vaccine.
A member of the Government’s vaccine taskforce, Prof Bell said there was a 70% to 80% chance that the most vulnerable among the population could be vaccinated by Easter.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said dedicated GP clinics are being set up to provide vaccines across England at a minimum of 975 doses every week. NHS England has told England’s 1,250 primary care networks to have a single practice to give out vaccines in their area and to be available from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, including bank holidays if needed.
The UK has recorded 532 new Covid- 19 related deaths and 20,412 new cases.