Vaccine chief returns to speed up boosters

A LEADING No10 official has been deployed back into the NHS to oversee the Covid booster jab rollout, as concern mounts in government over the speed of the programme.

Emily Lawson helped oversee the first stage of Covid vaccinations before becoming head of the Downing Street delivery unit.

Now, months after going on secondment to No 10, Dr Lawson will return to the health service temporarily as ministers seek to accelerate the booster rollout and ward off the threat of further restrictions this winter.

The Government is also set to push for hundreds more pharmacies to offer vaccinations.

Yesterday 49,298 new Covid cases and 180 deaths were reported, with the seven-day case rate up 18 per cent and death rate up 16 per cent.

Speaking during a visit to a vaccination centre yesterday, Boris Johnson insisted there was “nothing to indicate” that a further lockdown was on the cards despite the recent increase in cases. However, the Prime Minister added: “It’s very important that people do follow the guidance; follow the guidance on general behaviour, being cautious, wearing masks in confined places where you’re meeting people you don’t normally meet, wash hands, ventilation, that kind of thing.

“But also get your booster jab – and that’s the key message that we want to get across.”