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Boris Johnson has appointed Conservative Minister Nadhim Zahawi to oversee the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.
The move, announced by Downing Street this morning, comes after hospital bosses were reportedly told a jab could be available in just nine days.
NHS staff are expected to be the first to receive the vaccine, and officials say hospitals in England could receive their first deliveries of the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine around Dec. 7.
This vaccine, which was initially found to be 95% effective, must be stored at extremely low temperatures, which represents a logistical challenge to distribute it safely.
Downing Street said in a statement: “The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of MP Nadhim Zahawi as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Welfare.”
(Image: Sky)
(Image: BIONTECH SE / FOLLETO / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
“He remains a parliamentary undersecretary of state in the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.”
Zahawi will focus on the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, and the temporary fix will last until at least next summer.
He will report to Secretary of Health Matt Hancock, with his primary focus on vaccine implementation, although he will retain some of his business responsibilities.
(Image: PA)
This week, Zahawi expressed disappointment that his Stratford-on-Avon constituency had been placed at Level 3.
Yesterday, the Mirror reported that the area’s infection rate is less than a third of that of some Tier 2 towns and cities.
Mr Zahawi said: “I am extremely disappointed and saddened that Warwickshire will move to Level 3 next week, in particular for the effect this will have on our hotel and tourism industries which have already been through so much this year.
“It seems that the high number of infections, especially among those over 60, and hospitalizations in North County have hurt us.”
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