Covid vaccine 'not a silver bullet' - Sunderland chief urges households to keep to the rules amid medical breakthroughs

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Recent developments of several promising treatments have raised the prospect of COVID-19 jabs being rolled out as early as December 2020.

But Wearside families have been urged to stick to the guidelines, while those flouting the rules have been urged to ‘[do] their bit’, lest they risk the region’s recovery.

“There’s a chink of light with the recent vaccine breakthroughs, but this will not be a silver bullet or overnight solution,” said Graeme Miller, the leader of Sunderland City Council.

Photo issued by the University of Oxford shows of vial of coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday November 23, 2020, that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals. (University of Oxford/John Cairns via AP)

“We need to continue to act responsibility, be safe, look after our health and be considerate of everyone around us for some time to come.”

He added: “Right now we are in the midst of the winter virus season, which every year puts a strain on the NHS.

“We must make every effort to prevent COVID-19 spreading out of control, bringing more misery to people and overwhelming the health and social care services.”

Cllr Miller was speaking at November 18’s meeting of Sunderland City Council, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

Councillors had so much business to debate and vote on they had to adjourn and restart the meeting the following morning, with proceedings taking almost eight hours, in total, to complete.

News of successful trials of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University, of which the government has reportedly ordered 100 million doses, came as Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested virus jabs could be rolled out from December.

The full programme could take months to complete however, with Cllr Miller urging families to stay strong in the meantime.

He said: “I’ve been very proud of how the vast majority of Sunderland has followed the rules in very difficult circumstances for what has now been almost the whole of 2020.

“It has not been easy and people are tired of it, I know that, but it is not the time to give up and risk the sacrifices people have made.

“And for the small minority who have not been doing their bit, now is the time to start – think of others and think of yourselves.”

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