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Speaking to Sky News, the Health Secretary praised news coming from major coronavirus vaccination studies in the US and UK and said there is “hope” that a vaccine will be rolled out in Britain in a matter of just “weeks”. He said: “Obviously no Covid vaccine has been signed yet, but there are encouraging signs of hope. And this week we heard again good news about the AstraZeneca vaccine and also about the Pfizer vaccine.
“So the NHS is putting those plans in place to be able to run a massive Covid vaccination program alongside the largest influenza vaccination program in history.
“So it’s a big task, but the NHS is up to the task.”
When asked if the UK is “weeks away” from a massive Covid vaccination, he said: “That’s the hope.
“Nothing is guaranteed yet. Actually, the large numbers are more likely to be announced in the New Year than before Christmas because we are absolutely determined that any vaccination program is safe.”
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“However, we’ve had really encouraging news over the last few weeks about the major vaccines.
“In the meantime, it is important that people follow the rules.”
There are signs that coronavirus cases in Britain are starting to decline as a result of the current lockdowns, Hancock added, paving the way for a Christmas period with less strict restrictions.
“There are encouraging signs that the number of cases is starting to flatten out and that the lockdown we brought in earlier this month is working,” he said, adding that a UK-wide approach to Christmas rules was in the works. .
“Of course it won’t be like a normal Christmas, there will have to be rules, but we hope they allow a little more of that normal Christmas that people really expect.
Earlier this year, the government announced that this winter would see the largest flu vaccination program in UK history, with enough supply to vaccinate 30 million people during flu season.
People over the age of 50 will be entitled to a free flu vaccine from early next month as part of an expanded jab release against the “twin threats” of flu and coronavirus.
This latter age group can be vaccinated by their GP or pharmacist in England from 1 December, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
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DHSC said flu vaccine uptake this year is higher in all vulnerable groups, except pregnant women, compared to the same period last year.
England’s deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam urged all eligible to receive the jab.
He said: “Flu vaccination is a critical tool this and every winter to prevent serious illness and possible hospitalizations for thousands of people.
“I urge all those who are eligible for the flu vaccine, including the new age group 50-64, to book appointments as soon as possible.”
DHSC said GPs, trusts and pharmacists can request additional stocks from the government supply of more than seven million vaccines to vaccinate the latter group.
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