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People have been warned not to hold big Christmas celebrations this year, despite hopes for a COVID-19 vaccine launch.
Former government chief science adviser Professor Sir Mark Walport has said that while there was “something iconic on people’s minds” about the holiday season, “there is no point in having big parties” compared to the current one. coronavirus pandemic.
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Vaccine could be rolled out next month – Hancock
His comments came as it was reported that Boris Johnson was preparing to announce a plan to alleviate the COVID-19 rules at Christmas, where multiple families could join a bubble and mingle between December 22-28.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock had earlier said at a Downing Street briefing that it was still too early to say what contacts people might have, but said it would be a “boost” for the UK if a set of “safe, careful and reasonable” plans. it could be agreed between decentralized nations.
Sir Mark, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), also said that while current lockdown measures in the UK appear to be working, people need to continue to follow the rules.
He told Times Radio: “It is absolutely clear that if you stopped everything and took off the brakes completely, the infection would start to grow again and the question is what action will be taken after December 2?
“I’m sure it will be necessary to continue taking action of some kind.
“Surely now, when there is the prospect of a vaccine, it is not the time to give up.”
Leaked NHS documents had suggested that all adults who wanted a shot could get vaccinated by early April.
However, NHS England has moved to downplay the draft plan, insisting that it was “no longer up to date with the latest information from companies on potential supply programs”, noting that there was no vaccine yet. authorized.
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Pfizer boss: ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’
Sir Mark’s warning was echoed by the NHS Providers deputy chief executive, who hoped that restrictions would be applied in the new year to get the country through the “hump” of winter.
Saffron Cordery told the BBC: “There is great hope [of a vaccine] amongst the staff and amongst the general public and this feeling of ‘oh now we can take our foot off the pedal’.
“But we really can’t, we have to hold on a little longer until all the elements are in place.”
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called for “evidence-based” restrictions following the end of the current lockdown in England.
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He said: “Yes, I accept that the restrictions will still be necessary, but that they are proportionate and evidence-based, and there is no evidence that the 10 pm curfew reduces infections.”
It comes after Hancock said he has growing hopes of achieving some degree of normalcy by spring, as he confirmed that the UK health regulator is evaluating a coronavirus attack that could be implemented next month.
He described the consideration by the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine as “another important step forward in the fight against this pandemic.”
Hancock said: “If the regulator approves a vaccine, we will be ready to start vaccination next month with most of the launch in the new year.”
“We are heading in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go.”
