Hancock holding the UK to ransom until everyone is vaccinated
Oxford Covid vaccine is APPROVED for use with rollout expected to begin on January 4 as millions more face Tier 4 with Matt Hancock set to reveal TODAY where tougher restrictions are needed
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9098139/Covid-vaccine-Oxford-University-Astrazeneca-APPROVED.html
Matt Hancock hailed approval for the critical Oxford University and AstraZeneca vaccine today saying it means the UK will be 'out' of the coronavirus crisis by the Spring - but also signalled that millions more people are being plunged into a Tier 4 lockdown.
In a massive boost after the country racked up a record 50,000 daily cases, the Health Secretary insisted a rapid rollout of the jab now offers 'high confidence' the pandemic will be past within months.
The UK has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine with supplies due to arrive today or tomorrow and the first jabs starting on Monday.
Two doses are needed to get long-term protection, but Mr Hancock revealed that the stocks could be spread more widely than anticipated as the MHRA has advised that the gap between the first jab and the second jab can be extended from four weeks to 12 weeks.
The same rule will be applied to the Pfizer jab already approved in early December - raising the prospect that more Britons could be given a single dose soon to ease the pressure on the NHS from rampant infections. Tony Blair has been calling for all available stocks to be used for single doses, with the booster follow-up being delayed.
However, Mr Hancock dodged saying whether he believed the numbers being vaccinated could be scaled up to the two million a week scientists say is needed. And alongside the positive news he delivered a stark warning that the country still faces a tightening of the brutal lockdown today.
More than two-thirds of England is expected to be under the harshest level of curbs after a review of the system is announced in the Commons this afternoon - but there are demands for an even more draconian national squeeze that could see secondary schools shut and possibly curfews.
'It is going to be a difficult few weeks ahead,' Mr Hancock said in a round of interviews. 'We are going to have to take further action.'
Pressure has mounted on the Government to act as hospitals across England warned of increasing strains on services due to Covid-19 patient numbers, which have reached their highest levels during the pandemic, while a record daily high of 51,135 further cases were reported on Tuesday, along with 414 deaths.
The vaccine approval came as:
Millions in the south-west, Midlands and Lancashire are expected to be added to Tier 4 restrictions closing all non-essential shops;
Secondary schools are expected to shut until January 11 at the earliest - but scientists want them closed until February. Boris Johnson will make the final decision today;
London ICUs have asked major hospitals in Yorkshire if they will agree to take some patients as wards hospital admissions exceed peak of first wave;
51,135 further cases and 414 deaths were reported on Tuesday;