NHS and military told to get ready to start Covid vaccines from the start of December

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told the NHS and military to be ready to start vaccinating people against the coronavirus by the start of next month.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 10th Nov 2020, 08:27 BST
Updated 10th Nov 2020, 08:31 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

However, he has said no vaccine will be deployed until the Government is “confident” of its safety, while most people will not get a jab until 2021.

It comes after the jab being developed by the Pfizer-BioNTech partnership was found to be 90% effective in a study.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He has said while that was “very promising” there will be more steps to take before any programme will begin.

The NHS has been asked to prepare for a vaccination programme from next month, should a jab become availableThe NHS has been asked to prepare for a vaccination programme from next month, should a jab become available
The NHS has been asked to prepare for a vaccination programme from next month, should a jab become available
Read More
This is who will get the new Pfizer Covid vaccine first - everything you need to...

Mr Hancock said: “I have asked them [the NHS] to be ready from the start of December.

“Of course, there are many hurdles that still need to be gone over and we haven’t seen the full safety data, and obviously that is critical.

“We won’t deploy a vaccine unless we can be confident in its clinical safety, but we also do need to be ready should a vaccine be licensed and get through all those hurdles and be ready to roll it out.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the study into the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is promising.Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the study into the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is promising.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the study into the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is promising.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He has said it will be a mammoth task to roll out the vaccine, should it become available, with the priority of who gets it first to be set by clinical need.

“What is absolutely critical right now is that as soon as a vaccine becomes available we are ready to deploy it,” he told Times Radio.

“It will be a colossal exercise. The work has been going on for months to get this in place should this happen.”

He has also stressed it is important people still follow the restrictions and maintain social distancing until the vaccine is found to be safe and licensed for use.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Hancock told Times Radio: “I want life to be back as close to normal as soon as possible. This is clearly a promising step but there are many steps to come.

“We are all really so pleased to see some light at the end of the tunnel but it is absolutely crucial that in the meantime we all hold our resolve.

“We have always said our strategy is to suppress the virus until the vaccine can make us safe.

"That has come one step closer.”

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.

Related topics:Matt HancockGovernmentNHSPfizerBioNTech