heathrow airport, where the price tag of almost £2000 for a ten day stay. i tag of almost £2000 for a ten day sta . . , tag of almost £2000 for a ten day sta. , ,,,_ tag of almost £2000 for a ten day sta. , , tag of almost £2000 for a ten day sta. ., tag of almost £2000 for a ten day sta. stay. i was probably about two seats from someone _ stay. i was probably about two seats from someone that _ stay. i was probably about two seats from someone that came _ stay. i was probably about two seats from someone that came from - stay. i was probably about two seats from someone that came from a - stay. i was probably about two seats from someone that came from a red i from someone that came from a red list country, we are all in the same facility, in the same area.- facility, in the same area. where exectin: facility, in the same area. where exoecting to _ facility, in the same area. where expecting to hear— facility, in the same area. where expecting to hear more - facility, in the same area. where expecting to hear more of- facility, in the same area. where expecting to hear more of those | facility, in the same area. where i expecting to hear more of those key developments from the prime minister and today's briefing, it will bring that live from downing street and around half an hour's time. we will bring you coverage of that conference at 5pm. the vaccine relate enters a new phase today with over 65 is in the clinically vulnerable now invited to get their firstjab. borisjohnson says the vaccine has been offered to all of those in the four groups at risk from the virus. that includes includes everyone aged 70 and over, care home staff and residents, and the clinically extremely vulnerable. the health secretary matt hancock says 90% of the over—70s have had a jab. a third of social care staff in england are still to have the vaccine. in the next phase of the rollout, those aged 69 down to 50 years old and all those aged 16—64 with underlying health conditions will be offered a jab by the end of april. however, the success of the roll—out means the government is now facing growing calls to remove lockdown restrictions. it says it will publish a road map for reopening schools, the economy and society next week. our health correspondent nick triggle is here. let talk first of all about the latest cases in terms of case number is in the uk, and a downward trajectory? in is in the uk, and a downward trajectory?— is in the uk, and a downward trajectory? is in the uk, and a downward tra'ecto ? , ., , , trajectory? in terms of cases, it has one trajectory? in terms of cases, it has gone below _ trajectory? in terms of cases, it has gone below 10,000 - trajectory? in terms of cases, it has gone below 10,000 new . trajectory? in terms of cases, it i has gone below 10,000 new cases reported, that is the first time since the start of october that we have been below 10,000. 9765 new infections diagnosed. in terms of hospitals, numbers in hospital, that is still above the peak in the first wave. the numbers are coming down in hospital. a few weeks ago it was nearly 40,000. but that just shows the pressures hospitals are under. they still have more patience in hospital with covid than they did in the peak. in terms of deaths, 230 deaths reported. that is a lot lower thanit deaths reported. that is a lot lower than it has been. it's largely a weekend effect, with delays in reporting and recording deaths on a saturday and sunday. but the weekly average is 650 deaths per day, which is half the rate it was three weeks ago. that shows deaths are also falling. everybody is looking out for the vaccine effect. is the roll—out of the vaccination, that has gone so well, beginning to have an impact on deaths? if we look at deaths and also hospitalisations, among the older age groups, it is just the first signs that they are falling more quickly than younger age groups. but i think we will see more of that in the coming weeks, when it becomes more marked. but there is the first hint of that vaccine having an effect. there are the latest figures _ vaccine having an effect. there are the latest figures on _ vaccine having an effect. there are the latest figures on the _ vaccine having an effect. there are the latest figures on the screen. i vaccine having an effect. there are| the latest figures on the screen. or just in terms of how effective the vaccine is, very interesting data from israel, where they have had a very successful vaccine roll—out. they are saying 94% drop they have seenin they are saying 94% drop they have seen in the symptomatically coronavirus cases among 600,000 people who have been fully vaccinated. this is all pfizer vaccine. a 94% drop. that is very, very encouraging? it vaccine. a 94% drop. that is very, very encouraging?— very encouraging? it is. it is demonstrating _ very encouraging? it is. it is demonstrating what - very encouraging? it is. it is demonstrating what the - very encouraging? it is. it is| demonstrating what the trial very encouraging? it is. it is - demonstrating what the trial showed could happen. the scientists always want to see this happening in the real world, and that is after two doses of the pfizer vaccine. israel have vaccinated more people per head of population than anywhere else in the world, but they are, indeed, very encouraging. given the success the uk has had in rolling out this vaccination programme, only israel and the united arab emirates have vaccinated more people. albeit, we are focusing on giving people their first dose, to as many people as possible. we are hoping to start seeing the effect of that soon. there are some hints on the data that it there are some hints on the data thatitis there are some hints on the data that it is beginning to have an impact. but we are hoping to see that. what is important with how we are progressing with vaccinations is obviously the government says it has now offered it to all the over 70s. the over 70s, most covid deaths have been at that age group. at nearly half the hospitalisations have been in the under 70s. so there is still a large number of people at risk, who have not yet been vaccinated. that is part of the reason the government is urging caution in talking about a slow lifting of restrictions, because there are still significant numbers out there that are at risk and have not been vaccinated. that are at risk and have not been vaccinated-— vaccinated. you're going to stay with us uo _ vaccinated. you're going to stay with us up to — vaccinated. you're going to stay with us up to the _ vaccinated. you're going to stay with us up to the briefing - vaccinated. you're going to stay with us up to the briefing and i vaccinated. you're going to stay i with us up to the briefing and after the briefing. so don't go away. with vaccinations in full flow, the prime minister has promised to outline a road map out of lockdown in england a week today — the 22nd february. we already have some clues as to his plans. the government wants schools to open to all pupils on the st of march. next — more outdoor recreation is likely to be allowed. followed by more shops being able to open. and finally, hospitality venues. the prime minister says lifting lockdown must be done cautiously. schools on march the 8th has, for a long time, been a priority of the government and families up and down the country. we will do everything we can to make that happen. but we've got to keep looking at the date. but we've got to keep looking at the data. we've got to keep looking at the rates of infection. don't forget, they are still very high, still 23,000 or so covid patients in the nhs, more than at the peak last year. still, sadly, too many people dying of this disease. rates of infection, although they are coming down, are still comparatively high. so, we've got to be very prudent. and what we want to see is progress that is cautious, but irreversible. and i think that is what the public and people up and down the country will want to see. progress that is cautious, but irreversible. our political correspondent helen catt is at westminster. those are the watchwords from the prime minister, cautious but irreversible. he said that umpteen times today. the word from downing street is that this lockdown, this third lockdown, really has to be the last one? ~ , , last one? absolutely. there is absolutely _ last one? absolutely. there is absolutely no _ last one? absolutely. there is absolutely no appetite - last one? absolutely. there is absolutely no appetite way - last one? absolutely. there is l absolutely no appetite way forth lockdown, politically. ithink absolutely no appetite way forth lockdown, politically. i think there isn't anywhere, really, lockdown, politically. i think there isn'tanywhere, really, is lockdown, politically. i think there isn't anywhere, really, is there? there does seem to be this message, as you said, of cautious but irreversible, small steps to make sure we don't end up in another lockdown. there is a bit of political tension around this. there are some in the conservative party who would like to see an unlocking quicker than perhaps the government is indicating through this. so, 63 tory mps wrote to the prime minister over the weekend, saying they would like to see pubs reopening by easter. they wanted to see all legal restrictions lifted by the end of april. that would coincide with when all of the over 60s should have been vaccinated, if the vaccination programme keeps on course as it is. 63 mp5 programme keeps on course as it is. 63 mps is a significant number. it would be enough, for example, to defeat the government in a vote in parliament. and there are some pretty senior voices in there. so it is likely that downing street is going to listen. but, having said that, that is not necessarily the view of the bulk of conservative mps. it's not the view of the labour party, which has been urging the government to lock in the gains, as they put it, with keir starmer putting it a borisjohnson that he should not move too fast to lift lockdown restrictions. it is certainly not the noises we are getting from the government at the moment. a lot of emphasis on this idea of caution. borisjohnson says when he sets out the road map next week, he would like to put in the earliest possible date is where the government might be able to start lifting restrictions in england, reopening bits of the economy. but he was really clear to stress that he was really clear to stress that he would still change those if the data that needed to happen. he would not hesitate to delay them. so certainly the idea of not rushing into things here.— certainly the idea of not rushing into things here. thank you very much indeed. _ the minister for health in wales, vaughan gething, has been giving an update on the vaccination programme there. he hailed the programme as a huge success and praised the nhs in wales for theirfantasticjob in vaccinating one in four people already. asked about when lockdown measures might be eased, he warned that the welsh government would not hesitate to reintroduce lockdown measures after current restrictions are lifted if needed. we don't want to see a return to having to introduce more restrictions, but i wouldn't see that we could give a cast—iron guarantee that would never happen. if, for example, we had found a way to have a number of restrictions removed, but we then saw a significant upswing in the virus, whether it is a new variant or otherwise, then we would have responsibility to act. adam price is the leader of plaid cymru. thank you very much for being with us. the welsh government saying the vaccination programme has been a huge success. do you agree with that? , ., huge success. do you agree with that? , . ., . huge success. do you agree with that? , . . . ., huge success. do you agree with that? ., ., , that? yes, a fantastic team wales effort. incredible _ that? yes, a fantastic team wales effort. incredible to _ that? yes, a fantastic team wales effort. incredible to see _ that? yes, a fantastic team wales effort. incredible to see the - that? yes, a fantastic team wales effort. incredible to see the rate l effort. incredible to see the rate of vaccination that we have seen over the last couple of weeks. the important thing now is that we keep on that curve, because, clearly, as we get more and more of the population vaccinated, notjust the first dose, we need to get onto the second doses as well, and we are doing well internationally, in wales and across the uk with the first dose. at the second dose is important in terms of securing those gains. but absolutely great to see the progress. but we've got to keep the progress. but we've got to keep the progress. but we've got to keep the progress on the other side, the suppression of the virus. because we know that there is a danger, if we don't get the level of prevalence of the virus down, these escape variants, these variants that have immunity from some of the vaccines, they may become a more potent risk. so we have to keep accelerating as well. notjust on the vaccination front, but also on maximum suppression of the virus. because thatis suppression of the virus. because that is another important line of defence. ., , ., ., defence. course, you will have heard of politicians — defence. course, you will have heard of politicians saying _ defence. course, you will have heard of politicians saying the _ defence. course, you will have heard of politicians saying the success - defence. course, you will have heard of politicians saying the success of i of politicians saying the success of the vaccine roll—out in wales, and around the uk, means that restrictions could be ended, potentially, by the end of april completely. and a lot of the public might be thinking the same thing will stop what is your message on that? i will stop what is your message on that? 4' �* ., ., , that? i think we've got to be careful here. _ that? i think we've got to be careful here. i— that? i think we've got to be careful here. i think - that? i think we've got to be careful here. i think it - that? i think we've got to be careful here. i think it is i careful here. i think it is absolutely the right thing to have a road map, in the sense that it sets out a vision of what the future is going to look like over the next few months, and the next year or so. it sets out some milestones in the direction of travel. but it has to be, crucially, data driven, not date driven. because we could easily find ourselves in exactly the same position that we have been in repeatedly over the last year, where there is a relaxation of the restrictions, and suddenly we see ourselves back in that sort of exponential rise in cases, and we have a cycle once again of relaxation and then further lockdown. that is disastrous, dangerous in terms of public health. and it does the economy no good, and the rest of society either, if you constantly have this cycling in and out of lockdown. so we need to take this step—by—step, do it in a phased way, ratherthan this step—by—step, do it in a phased way, rather than opening up once again in a reckless fashion, as sadly we have seen over the last year. sadly we have seen over the last ear. , , , ., ., year. just in terms of those who haven't taken _ year. just in terms of those who haven't taken up _ year. just in terms of those who haven't taken up the _ year. just in terms of those who haven't taken up the offer - year. just in terms of those who haven't taken up the offer of i year. just in terms of those who haven't taken up the offer of a l haven't taken up the offer of a vaccine, we know for example in the care home sector quite a large number of care home staff have decided not to have the vaccine. what would be your message to those people? i what would be your message to those eo - le? ., what would be your message to those neale? ., people? iwould urge them... look, i think we have — people? iwould urge them... look, i think we have to _ people? iwould urge them... look, i think we have to engage _ people? iwould urge them... look, i think we have to engage with - people? iwould urge them... look, i think we have to engage with people | think we have to engage with people and try to understand the concerns that they have. but i would urge everyone, you know, it's notjust... it's about keeping you safe, but it's about keeping everyone else save as well. so, you know, this huge collective effort, where we have seen the success of it over the last couple of weeks in terms of the level of the initial priority groups that have been vaccinated, it is really important. no one is safe until everyone is safe. therefore, we all have an important role to play. and being vaccinated is unimportant, core element of that. price, thank you. let's get more now on the roll—out of the next phase of the vaccine programme in england. joining me now is peter openshaw, immunologist at imperial college london and a member of the uk vaccine network. thank you so much for being with us. you must be delighted with the success of the roll—out so far but what would you say about what it means and obviously we will hear from the prime minister next week about what it all means, the easing of restrictions. i about what it all means, the easing of restrictions.— of restrictions. i think it is an extraordinary _ of restrictions. i think it is an extraordinary achievement. i of restrictions. i think it is an| extraordinary achievement. it of restrictions. i think it is an - extraordinary achievement. it really is wonderful to see so many vaccines and also the way in which in the uk we have managed to really bring on board the whole of the nhs and some of the other components of our workforce in order to roll—out these vaccines but i think it is absolutely vital we don't just vaccines but i think it is absolutely vital we don'tjust have absolutely vital we don'tjust have a set schedule in terms of when we think we can, you know, easily lockdown because we are all desperate for it to be easy but it depends on what the virus is doing and the virus is doing what the virus does. it isn't something with which we can negotiate.— virus does. it isn't something with which we can negotiate. people say the want which we can negotiate. people say they want a — which we can negotiate. people say they want a schedule. _ which we can negotiate. people say they want a schedule. the - which we can negotiate. people say i they want a schedule. the government are preparing to publish a kind of schedule next monday or at least a road map. i schedule next monday or at least a road ma -. . ., schedule next monday or at least a road ma-. , ., road map. i can understand the pressures _ road map. i can understand the pressures on — road map. i can understand the pressures on the _ road map. i can understand the pressures on the government l road map. i can understand the| pressures on the government to road map. i can understand the i pressures on the government to do that but we have to watch and see what the virus is doing. remember that although the vaccines that are being given now will reduce the circulation of the virus, we don't know how much and we can't anticipate any new mutations the virus might throw up. initially the mutations were mutations that favour transmission but now that we have got rising levels of immunity we might see mutations which are more to do with evading the host immune response so we have to watch the figures and the data, watch the science and respond according to what is actually happening. that is what is actually happening. that is what the government _ what is actually happening. that is what the government says - what is actually happening. that is what the government says it's i what is actually happening. that is i what the government says it's doing but in terms the effectiveness of the vaccine, we have data from israel from 600,000 people in israel who have had the pfizerjab that it is 94% effective, in line with the trials. , �* ., , , trials. isn't that stunning? it is wonderful— trials. isn't that stunning? it is wonderful news. _ trials. isn't that stunning? it is wonderful news. there - trials. isn't that stunning? it is wonderful news. there are i trials. isn't that stunning? it is l wonderful news. there are hints trials. isn't that stunning? it is - wonderful news. there are hints from the israeli data that those groups that have been vaccinated are seen quite a substantial reduction in the disease, they have the variant that first arose in britain so that particular variant is quite well neutralised by the immune response to the vaccines. so, that is sort of what we would anticipate. it is to the vaccines. so, that is sort of what we would anticipate. it is part of our what we would anticipate. it is part of your concern _ what we would anticipate. it is part of your concern that _ what we would anticipate. it is part of your concern that we _ what we would anticipate. it is part of your concern that we don't - what we would anticipate. it is part of your concern that we don't quite j of your concern that we don't quite know what it does in terms of transmissibility of the virus? it is clearly effective in reducing disease and death but not necessarily transmissibility? that's ri . ht, necessarily transmissibility? that's riuht, it necessarily transmissibility? that's riaht, it is necessarily transmissibility? that's right. it is hard _ necessarily transmissibility? that's right, it is hard to _ necessarily transmissibility? that's right, it is hard to measure - necessarily transmissibility? that's right, it is hard to measure what i right, it is hard to measure what the vaccines are doing in terms of the vaccines are doing in terms of the transmissibility. you'd think that would be fairly easy to estimate it but isn't. you have to do a pretty comprehensive study in order to try to estimate that. it looks like the amount of virus in the nose is reduced by vaccination. and that production is probably about two thirds. i think personally that must equate to some reduction in transmission but it is obviously something we have to be very cautious about. the vaccines are designed to reduce the severity of the disease to prevent severe disease which they do very well indeed. but in terms of reducing the replication of the virus in the nose, we need mucosal vaccines, vaccines delivered as a nose drop which is not the way they are designed. which is not the way they are designed-— which is not the way they are designed. which is not the way they are desiuned. .,, , ., i. designed. people listening to you will sa , designed. people listening to you will say. look. — designed. people listening to you will say, look, i— designed. people listening to you will say, look, i understand- designed. people listening to you will say, look, i understand yourl will say, look, i understand your caution, of course, but at the same time we have to get things going, we have to reopen schools, the government is proposing to do that on march the 8th, so are those sorts of plans wrong? h0. on march the 8th, so are those sorts of plans wrong?— of plans wrong? no, i completely understand _ of plans wrong? no, i completely understand we _ of plans wrong? no, i completely understand we all— of plans wrong? no, i completely understand we all want _ of plans wrong? no, i completely understand we all want to - of plans wrong? no, i completely understand we all want to open i of plans wrong? no, i completely | understand we all want to open up of plans wrong? no, i completely i understand we all want to open up as much as we can but the evidence is that countries that have really applied all the measures to reduce transmission most effectively and have got levels of virus replication down within the community are the countries where it has been possible to open up the economy and to get businesses back on track sooner. so, we are a bit of an outlier internationally, in that we have been very cautious, really, in terms of locking down and businesses as long as we can, and that has been associated with quite a substantial reduction in prosperity. it associated with quite a substantial reduction in prosperity.— reduction in prosperity. it open shall, thank — reduction in prosperity. it open shall, thank you _ reduction in prosperity. it open shall, thank you so _ reduction in prosperity. it open shall, thank you so much - reduction in prosperity. it open shall, thank you so much for. reduction in prosperity. it open i shall, thank you so much for your time. peter openshaw, immunologist at imperial college london. thank you. all uk and irish nationals flying to england from 33 countries classed as "high risk" now have to quarantine in hotels for ten days. non—uk residents coming from countries on the list are already barred. wiehann meyerflew into heathrow this morning from johannesburg in south africa and is now in quarantine at a hotel. he's starting a newjob in england in march but his work visa started today — meaning he couldn't travel earlier this month. he spoke to bbc news from his hotel room a little earlier and described what it was like when he landed. our queue was right next to the other people's queue so it's not like we were in completely different areas. i mean, i was probably two metres away from someone that came from a non—red list country. i think from everyone that flew in from qatar, from doha, to heathrow, i think there was seven of us that came from a red list country. i was probably about two seats from someone that doesn't come from a red list country. we were all in the same vicinity, breathing the same air. so, yes, i guess, i understand coming from a red list country, south africa, we have different variants, but i mean, we all came into contact with one another, and the fact it's just us going into lockdown seems a bit... ..strange, but i do understand where it is coming from. going through the airport was, you know, sort of normal, except we had our own line. they called it the red list countries line, so just had to follow that through to border control. once we arrived at border control, i would say it took each person about 5—8 minutes to pass through. fortunately, i think with hotel quarantine, none of the people would be coming through because the queue was very short compared to the queue for non—red list countries. so, yes, we moved through quite quickly. got our baggage. by the time we'd moved through, our baggage had already been taken off the carousel and we were then put in, like, a waiting area with a baggage claim area, waited about 30 minutes for our bus to arrive. in scotland all travellers returning from all international destinations will from today have to quarantine in hotels for ten days at their own cost. our scotland editor sarah smith explained why some may be able to avoid quarantine due to a loophole — and why the government is looking into it. nicola sturgeon hasjust done her daily briefing and has explained that there is not very much they can do to enforce the rules as people arrive into england. so, as it stands, if you fly directly into scotland from anywhere overseas, you have to go into managed isolation in a hotel for ten days. if you come in through, say, heathrow airport, and then travel up to scotland, you have to self—isolate at home for ten days. that's obviously much harder to enforce. the other problem of that is you have people flying into, say, a london airport, there may be taking the train up to scotland. and if the scottish government thinks there is potential they could have been infected overseas, possibly spreading the virus. the answer, the scottish government says, is to take a four nations approach to this — i.e. have the same rules in every part of the uk. and they want the uk government to enforce hotel quarantine for all overseas travellers. the other option is to get people who are flying into english airports, but intending to travel on to scotland, to isolate in a hotel in england first. that's something which would need the uk government's cooperation. and it's something that the scottish are talking to them about. i'm joined now by dr philippa whitford, the snp's health spokesperson in the house of commons. thank you very much indeed for being with us. that is a concern, isn't it, that this potential loophole for people who could fly in to london and jump on a train or get in the car? i and “ump on a train or get in the car? ~ and “ump on a train or get in the car? ,, , ., , and “ump on a train or get in the car? ~ , ., , ., , car? i think your guest who 'ust soke to car? i think your guest who 'ust spoke to you i car? i think your guest who 'ust spoke to you from i car? i think your guest who just spoke to you from quarantine i car? i think your guest who just l spoke to you from quarantine has highlighted why simply picking out people who have come from the 33 red list countries simply doesn't make sense. people could come by other routes. people may, as he described, beyond the same plane as others who are not being put into quarantine, breathing the same air. while we are identifying the south american and south african variants as dangerous, they are already in some other countries, they are already in some european countries and there will be future variants, exactly like the kent variant, that pop up and could arrive in the uk with out us being any the wiser so it doesn't make sense to just pick out these few countries. it would make much more sense to have notjust the whole of the uk but working with the republic of ireland to make the whole common travel area secured to the outside and then work together to eliminate community spread inside because that would, like in new zealand and other countries, allow you to get your domestic economy open again. let’s domestic economy open again. let's talk about the _ domestic economy open again. let's talk about the vaccine _ domestic economy open again. let's talk about the vaccine roll—out, how is it going in scotland? talk about the vaccine roll-out, how is it going in scotland?— is it going in scotland? obviously, i've been is it going in scotland? obviously, i've been on _ is it going in scotland? obviously, i've been on your _ is it going in scotland? obviously, i've been on your programme - is it going in scotland? obviously, i i've been on your programme before when scotland was being attacked as being very slow but i am sure you have seen the data. we caught up with england and all formations have done fantastically in delivering a vaccination programme on a scale never seen. certainly by investing the time in care homes, notjust for residents but care home staff, we vaccinated over 90% of care home staff, we are beginning to see a drop in care home deaths, notjust along with the change in population deaths but as a proportion of all deaths. and we, obviously, took the pfizer vaccine in december and we started to see that drop from early january. i'd expect we would start to see the same drop in care home deaths in the rest of the uk in the coming weeks. deaths in the rest of the uk in the coming weeks-— coming weeks. last year, last summer. _ coming weeks. last year, last summer. i— coming weeks. last year, last summer, i think _ coming weeks. last year, last summer, i think i'm _ coming weeks. last year, last summer, i think i'm right i coming weeks. last year, last summer, i think i'm right in i coming weeks. last year, last - summer, i think i'm right in saying you were suggesting that we should be part of the eu's vaccine procurement programme and wait for the eu to get the vaccines. if we'd been waiting for the eu to do it, we wouldn't be in such a good position as we are now. wouldn't be in such a good position as we are now-— as we are now. obviously, yes, i absolutely _ as we are now. obviously, yes, i absolutely believe _ as we are now. obviously, yes, i absolutely believe in _ as we are now. obviously, yes, i absolutely believe in solidarity i absolutely believe in solidarity across the eu and a pole in germany recently showed that while people are annoyed the eu have been slow there is solidarity with the approach because their concern would have been the big countries like france, germany and the uk would have bought up all the vaccine, which is exactly what we've done, driven the price up and therefore other countries in europe and beyond simply would not get access to the vaccine. it simply would not get access to the vaccine. . , . . simply would not get access to the vaccine. ., , ., ., , ., ~ vaccine. it was that a mistake, then for ou to vaccine. it was that a mistake, then for you to say _ vaccine. it was that a mistake, then for you to say we — vaccine. it was that a mistake, then for you to say we should _ vaccine. it was that a mistake, then for you to say we should have - vaccine. it was that a mistake, then | for you to say we should have waited for you to say we should have waited for the eu to be part of the general procurement programme? it for the eu to be part of the general procurement programme? it wouldn't have stopped — procurement programme? it wouldn't have stopped the _ procurement programme? it wouldn't have stopped the uk _ procurement programme? it wouldn't have stopped the uk also _ procurement programme? it wouldn't have stopped the uk also procuring i have stopped the uk also procuring for themselves. member states were not forbidden that. but i believe that when you have a challenge like this, there was a lot of talk last year about it being a global crisis and having a global response. i4% of the world's population has bought up well over three quarters of the vaccine. as one of your earlier speakers said, no one is safe until everyone is safe so if we have countries in the world, whether it is europe or in the global south who don't have access to the vaccine, we will see more mutations and eventually some of them will be resistant to the vaccine which will undermine our own programme here. all right, thank you so much for being with us doctor philippa whitford, the snp's health spokesperson the house of commons. our health correspondent nick triggle is here. we will be getting the latest from downing street from the prime minister very shortly. we've had the case numbers and the death figures as well, which will provide some encouragement to the government, just in terms of the negative downward trajectory continuing in terms of deaths and cases. yes. all three measures _ terms of deaths and cases. yes. all three measures are _ terms of deaths and cases. yes. all three measures are coming - terms of deaths and cases. yes. all three measures are coming down. i terms of deaths and cases. yes. all i three measures are coming down. the number of new infections diagnosed below 10,000 for the first time since early october. that compares to the start of january where we were seeing 60,000 cases a day. numbers in hospital are dropping but they are still above the levels seen in the first wave. there are currently just over 23,000 in the first wave. there are currentlyjust over 23,000 patients in hospital. the numbers of deaths continue to fall. on average, we are now at half the level we were a a few weeks ago in terms of the numbers of people dying so progress being made. of course, we are expecting soon the vaccine effect to really take hold. we begin to see a few hints in the data in terms of the numbers of older people dying and the numbers of older people being admitted to hospital falling at a faster rate slightly than the younger age group so there is a lot of progress being made there. i think the government will set out later, soon, the need to keep accelerating, keep theirfoot later, soon, the need to keep accelerating, keep their foot on the accelerator so we continue vaccinating at the rate we are doing because, come mid march, a lot of people will require second doses which puts a lot of pressure on the nhs to keep going at the rate it is going. the big issue, really, as it has always been, is supplied. the government is confident of the supplies of the astrazeneca vaccine. the pfizer vaccine, brought in from europe, there have been problems at their plants which means production is slightly lower than we anticipated, which has affected the whole of europe. the third vaccine, that should come into the uk soon, that should come into the uk soon, thatis that should come into the uk soon, that is modernity. moderna. that should help us achieve the goal of vaccinating all those aged 50—70 and people who are younger with underlying health conditions by the end of april. brute underlying health conditions by the end of april-— underlying health conditions by the end of april. we are waiting for the anellist, end of april. we are waiting for the panellist. he _ end of april. we are waiting for the panellist, he should _ end of april. we are waiting for the panellist, he should be _ end of april. we are waiting for the panellist, he should be appearing i end of april. we are waiting for the | panellist, he should be appearing at any moment now. borisjohnson and his advisers are going to be looking at the data, especially in terms of the vaccine and how effective it has been so far, notjust in reducing symptoms, deaths and hospitalisations, but in reducing transmissibility of the virus. what do we know about that so far? aha, do we know about that so far? couple of weeks ago, a study was published, based on the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, that showed it reduced the amount of transmission, or the suggestion was that it reduced the amount of transmission by two thirds. that study, they tested people... i by two thirds. that study, they tested people. . .— by two thirds. that study, they tested people... i think that is the prime minister _ tested people... i think that is the prime minister coming _ tested people... i think that is the prime minister coming in - tested people... i think that is the prime minister coming in right i tested people... i think that is the i prime minister coming in right now. let's listen in. good afternoon. thank you for joining us. today, the national vaccination programme continues to power past the target we set six weeks ago, with more than 15 million people vaccinated across the uk. once again, i pay tribute to the astonishing efforts of everyone involved. the gps, nurses, volunteers, the army and the pharmacists who rallied local volunteers to vaccinate 3000 people in his village hall in sussex, while keeping his pharmacy open. i thank all of you who have come forward to be vaccinated. this is an unprecedented national achievement. but it is no moment to relax. in fact, it is a moment to accelerate. the threat from this virus remains very real. yes, it is true, we have vaccinated more than 90% of those aged over 70. don't forget, 60% of hospital patients with covid are under 70. although the vaccination programme is going well, we still don't have enough data about the exact effectiveness of the vaccines in reducing the spread of infection. we have some interesting straws in the wind, we have grounds for confidence, but the vaccinations have only been running for a matter of weeks. and, while we are learning the whole time, we don't today, as i talk to you today, we don't have all the hard facts that we need. and the level of infection remains very high. we still have more people in hospital today than at the peak last april. and admissions across the uk, a very important statistic, running at 1600 a day. so, we have to keep our foot to the floor. i can tell you that today, the next1 million letters are landing on people's doormats right now, offering appointments to the over 65 is, and also contacting everyone aged 16—64 with underlying health conditions, as conditions, as well as adult carers. if we can keep this pace up, and if we can keep supply study, and i hope and believe we can, then we hope to offer a vaccination to everyone in the first nine priority groups, including everyone over 50 by the end of april. at the same time, we will be giving second doses to millions of the most vulnerable within 12 weeks of the first. so, this moment is a huge step forward, but it is only a first step. and while it shows what the country can do, we must be both optimistic, but also patient. next week i will be setting out a road map, saying as much as we possibly can about the route to normality. and even though some things are very uncertain. because we want this lockdown to be the last. and we want progress to be cautious, but also irreversible. so please continue to stay at home, protect the nhs and save lives. i am now going to ask chris to do the slides. . . . . . slides. first slide, please? three slides, the _ slides. first slide, please? three slides, the first _ slides. first slide, please? three slides, the first one _ slides. first slide, please? three slides, the first one is _ slides. first slide, please? three slides, the first one isjust - slides, the first one isjust showing _ slides, the first one isjust showing the number of people testing positive _ showing the number of people testing positive for covid over time. as you can see _ positive for covid over time. as you can see on — positive for covid over time. as you can see on this graph, the numbers are coming— can see on this graph, the numbers are coming down steadily over time. what _ are coming down steadily over time. what they— are coming down steadily over time. what they are still at quite a high level~ _ what they are still at quite a high level~ and — what they are still at quite a high level. and above the point where it was: _ level. and above the point where it was, for— level. and above the point where it was, for example, in september last year _ was, for example, in september last year so. _ was, for example, in september last year. so, significant progress, but still quite — year. so, significant progress, but still quite high. next slide, please _ still quite high. next slide, please. if we look at people in hospital— please. if we look at people in hospital in the uk, this again is coming — hospital in the uk, this again is coming down. this follows a slightly later than _ coming down. this follows a slightly later than the rates of new cases. the rates — later than the rates of new cases. the rates are still very high. they are around — the rates are still very high. they are around the point, in fact slightly— are around the point, in fact slightly above the point where they were at _ slightly above the point where they were at the peak of the epidemic in aprit _ were at the peak of the epidemic in april. these are still very high rates, — april. these are still very high rates, but _ april. these are still very high rates, but still heading in the right— rates, but still heading in the right direction. finally, on deaths, the number— right direction. finally, on deaths, the number of people that have sadly died with— the number of people that have sadly died with covid remains high, but is continuing — died with covid remains high, but is continuing to go down. so the most recent— continuing to go down. so the most recent seven day average is 657 deaths — recent seven day average is 657 deaths. stilla recent seven day average is 657 deaths. still a very high number, but definitely heading in the right direction — but definitely heading in the right direction. this is now below the peak— direction. this is now below the peak of— direction. this is now below the peak of the first wave we had last year _ peak of the first wave we had last year last — peak of the first wave we had last year. last slide, please? and this slide _ year. last slide, please? and this slide just— year. last slide, please? and this slide just shows the steady improvement in the number of people that have _ improvement in the number of people that have been vaccinated, thanks to the extraordinary work of people in the extraordinary work of people in the nhs _ the extraordinary work of people in the nhs that the prime minister was talking _ the nhs that the prime minister was talking about. i would very much like to— talking about. i would very much like to add, as every one word, huge thanks— like to add, as every one word, huge thanks to _ like to add, as every one word, huge thanks to the — like to add, as every one word, huge thanks to the doctors, nurses and administrative people that are making — administrative people that are making this happen. it is an extraordinary achievement. i want to finally— extraordinary achievement. i want to finally say— extraordinary achievement. i want to finally say how the protection from a vaccination will build. because it doesn't _ a vaccination will build. because it doesn't all— a vaccination will build. because it doesn't all happen in one go. the first layer— doesn't all happen in one go. the first layer of protection is people being _ first layer of protection is people being protected by their first vaccine _ being protected by their first vaccine. remember, this only starts to work— vaccine. remember, this only starts to work sometime between two and three _ to work sometime between two and three weeks later. people are not immediately protected. then people will have _ immediately protected. then people will have a _ immediately protected. then people will have a second vaccine, and that will have a second vaccine, and that will strengthen the level of protection and also make it more lon- protection and also make it more long lasting. so it is absolutely essential— long lasting. so it is absolutely essential when people asked to go back for— essential when people asked to go back for their second vaccine, they do so _ back for their second vaccine, they do so the — back for their second vaccine, they do so. the third layer of protection is we _ do so. the third layer of protection is we are _ do so. the third layer of protection is we are confident these vaccines will produce some level of protection from transmission. we don't _ protection from transmission. we don't yet — protection from transmission. we don't yet know exactly how much. so, if people _ don't yet know exactly how much. so, if people who are vulnerable meet other— if people who are vulnerable meet other people who are vaccinated, that will— other people who are vaccinated, that will provide another layer of protection for them. finally, further— protection for them. finally, further out, once we have a high proportion— further out, once we have a high proportion of the population vaccinated, this will help to reduce the rates _ vaccinated, this will help to reduce the rates of transmission, reduce the rates of transmission, reduce the risk— the rates of transmission, reduce the risk of— the rates of transmission, reduce the risk of big surges, so this also provides— the risk of big surges, so this also provides a — the risk of big surges, so this also provides a level of protection. so, the more — provides a level of protection. so, the more we vaccinate out in the community, the more we protect those who are _ community, the more we protect those who are potentially vulnerable. let's _ who are potentially vulnerable. let's go — who are potentially vulnerable. let's go to simon stevens, whose nhs staff have been doing the lion's share of the vaccination. 15 million vaccinations _ share of the vaccination. 15 million vaccinations in _ share of the vaccination. 15 million vaccinations in ten _ share of the vaccination. 15 million vaccinations in ten weeks - share of the vaccination. 15 million vaccinations in ten weeks would i share of the vaccination. 15 million | vaccinations in ten weeks would be an enormous— vaccinations in ten weeks would be an enormous undertaking - vaccinations in ten weeks would be an enormous undertaking at - vaccinations in ten weeks would be an enormous undertaking at any i vaccinations in ten weeks would be i an enormous undertaking at any time. but doing _ an enormous undertaking at any time. but doing so— an enormous undertaking at any time. but doing so during _ an enormous undertaking at any time. but doing so during the _ an enormous undertaking at any time. but doing so during the course - an enormous undertaking at any time. but doing so during the course of- but doing so during the course of this surge — but doing so during the course of this surge of— but doing so during the course of this surge of winter— but doing so during the course of this surge of winter coronavirus, i this surge of winter coronavirus, when _ this surge of winter coronavirus, when the — this surge of winter coronavirus, when the health _ this surge of winter coronavirus, when the health service - this surge of winter coronavirus, when the health service has - this surge of winter coronavirus, i when the health service has been under— when the health service has been under the — when the health service has been under the most _ when the health service has been under the most intense _ when the health service has been under the most intense pressurel when the health service has been. under the most intense pressure on hospitals _ under the most intense pressure on hospitals have — under the most intense pressure on hospitals have looked _ under the most intense pressure on hospitals have looked after- under the most intense pressure on hospitals have looked after more i hospitals have looked after more than 100,000 _ hospitals have looked after more than 100,000 severely- hospitals have looked after more than 100,000 severely ill- than 100,000 severely ill coronavirus— than 100,000 severely ill coronavirus patients - than 100,000 severely ill coronavirus patients in i than 100,000 severely illi coronavirus patients injust than 100,000 severely ill- coronavirus patients injust the last month, _ coronavirus patients injust the last month, that— coronavirus patients injust the last month, that really- coronavirus patients injust the last month, that really has- coronavirus patients in just the. last month, that really has been coronavirus patients in just the - last month, that really has been an extraordinary— last month, that really has been an extraordinary national _ last month, that really has been an extraordinary national team - last month, that really has been an extraordinary national team effort. | extraordinary national team effort. for families — extraordinary national team effort. for families and _ extraordinary national team effort. for families and patients _ extraordinary national team effort. for families and patients across i extraordinary national team effort. i for families and patients across the country. _ for families and patients across the country. you — for families and patients across the country. you have _ for families and patients across the country, you have been _ for families and patients across the country, you have been able - for families and patients across the country, you have been able to - for families and patients across the country, you have been able to see| country, you have been able to see for yourselves _ country, you have been able to see for yourselves the _ country, you have been able to see for yourselves the speed _ country, you have been able to see for yourselves the speed and - for yourselves the speed and precision— for yourselves the speed and precision with _ for yourselves the speed and precision with which - for yourselves the speed and precision with which the - for yourselves the speed and - precision with which the vaccination campaign _ precision with which the vaccination campaign has— precision with which the vaccination campaign has been _ precision with which the vaccination campaign has been undertaken. i precision with which the vaccination| campaign has been undertaken. so, precision with which the vaccination i campaign has been undertaken. so, i 'oin campaign has been undertaken. so, i jointhe_ campaign has been undertaken. so, i join the prime — campaign has been undertaken. so, i join the prime minister— campaign has been undertaken. so, i join the prime minister on _ campaign has been undertaken. so, i join the prime minister on the - campaign has been undertaken. so, i join the prime minister on the chief i join the prime minister on the chief medical— join the prime minister on the chief medical officer— join the prime minister on the chief medical officer in— join the prime minister on the chief medical officer in thanking - medical officer in thanking everybody— medical officer in thanking everybody who— medical officer in thanking everybody who has - medical officer in thanking everybody who has been i medical officer in thanking - everybody who has been involved. medical officer in thanking _ everybody who has been involved. of course, _ everybody who has been involved. of course, our _ everybody who has been involved. of course, our gps, _ everybody who has been involved. of course, our gps, nurses, _ everybody who has been involved. of course, our gps, nurses, our- course, our gps, nurses, our pharmacists, _ course, our gps, nurses, our pharmacists, the _ course, our gps, nurses, our pharmacists, the entire - course, our gps, nurses, our pharmacists, the entire staff| course, our gps, nurses, our. pharmacists, the entire staff of course, our gps, nurses, our- pharmacists, the entire staff of the health _ pharmacists, the entire staff of the health service, _ pharmacists, the entire staff of the health service, but _ pharmacists, the entire staff of the health service, but also _ pharmacists, the entire staff of the health service, but also our- health service, but also our partners. _ health service, but also our partners. the _ health service, but also our partners, the volunteers, i health service, but also our. partners, the volunteers, the health service, but also our- partners, the volunteers, the local authorities. — partners, the volunteers, the local authorities, the _ partners, the volunteers, the local authorities, the local— partners, the volunteers, the local authorities, the local businesses, i authorities, the local businesses, the armed — authorities, the local businesses, the armed forces _ authorities, the local businesses, the armed forces and _ authorities, the local businesses, the armed forces and many - authorities, the local businesses, i the armed forces and many others authorities, the local businesses, - the armed forces and many others who have rallied _ the armed forces and many others who have rallied round _ the armed forces and many others who have rallied round to _ the armed forces and many others who have rallied round to get _ the armed forces and many others who have rallied round to get us _ the armed forces and many others who have rallied round to get us to - the armed forces and many others who have rallied round to get us to the - have rallied round to get us to the place _ have rallied round to get us to the place that— have rallied round to get us to the place that we _ have rallied round to get us to the place that we are _ have rallied round to get us to the place that we are today. _ have rallied round to get us to the place that we are today. but - have rallied round to get us to the i place that we are today. but today, is the _ place that we are today. but today, is the prime — place that we are today. but today, is the prime minister— place that we are today. but today, is the prime minister said, - place that we are today. but today, is the prime minister said, is- is the prime minister said, is definitely— is the prime minister said, is definitely not _ is the prime minister said, is definitely not mission - is the prime minister said, is- definitely not mission accomplished. i've definitely not mission accomplished. we described — definitely not mission accomplished. i've described the _ definitely not mission accomplished. i've described the vaccination - i've described the vaccination campaign _ i've described the vaccination campaign as— i've described the vaccination campaign as two _ i've described the vaccination campaign as two sprints - i've described the vaccination campaign as two sprints and i i've described the vaccination| campaign as two sprints and a marathon _ campaign as two sprints and a marathon we _ campaign as two sprints and a marathon. we have _ campaign as two sprints and a marathon. we have just - campaign as two sprints and a marathon. we have just comej campaign as two sprints and a - marathon. we have just come through the finishing _ marathon. we have just come through the finishing line _ marathon. we have just come through the finishing line of— marathon. we have just come through the finishing line of the _ marathon. we have just come through the finishing line of the first— the finishing line of the first sprint _ the finishing line of the first sprint and _ the finishing line of the first sprint. and now— the finishing line of the first sprint. and now we - the finishing line of the first sprint. and now we have i the finishing line of the first sprint. and now we have a i the finishing line of the first- sprint. and now we have a second sprint _ sprint. and now we have a second sprint between _ sprint. and now we have a second sprint between now— sprint. and now we have a second sprint between now and _ sprint. and now we have a second sprint between now and the - sprint. and now we have a second sprint between now and the 30th| sprint. and now we have a second i sprint between now and the 30th of april. _ sprint between now and the 30th of april. to _ sprint between now and the 30th of april. to extend _ sprint between now and the 30th of april, to extend the _ sprint between now and the 30th of april, to extend the number- sprint between now and the 30th of april, to extend the number of- april, to extend the number of vaccinations— april, to extend the number of vaccinations given _ april, to extend the number of vaccinations given to _ april, to extend the number of vaccinations given to the - april, to extend the number ofi vaccinations given to the higher risk groups— vaccinations given to the higher risk groups of— vaccinations given to the higher risk groups of the _ vaccinations given to the higher risk groups of the population, l risk groups of the population, before — risk groups of the population, before then _ risk groups of the population, before then moving _ risk groups of the population, before then moving onto - risk groups of the population, before then moving onto the i before then moving onto the marathon, _ before then moving onto the marathon, which— before then moving onto the marathon, which will- before then moving onto the marathon, which will be - before then moving onto the - marathon, which will be vaccination for everybody — marathon, which will be vaccination for everybody in _ marathon, which will be vaccination for everybody in the _ marathon, which will be vaccination for everybody in the country - marathon, which will be vaccination for everybody in the country who i marathon, which will be vaccination for everybody in the country who is| for everybody in the country who is eligible. _ for everybody in the country who is eligible. as— for everybody in the country who is eligible, as well— for everybody in the country who is eligible, as well as _ for everybody in the country who is eligible, as well as the _ for everybody in the country who is eligible, as well as the winter - for everybody in the country who is eligible, as well as the winter flu l eligible, as well as the winter flu campaign. — eligible, as well as the winter flu campaign. and _ eligible, as well as the winter flu campaign, and potentially- eligible, as well as the winter flu | campaign, and potentially further covid _ campaign, and potentially further covid booster— campaign, and potentially further covid booster shots _ campaign, and potentially further covid booster shots this - campaign, and potentially further covid booster shots this autumn, | campaign, and potentially further. covid booster shots this autumn, if that is— covid booster shots this autumn, if that is what— covid booster shots this autumn, if that is what the _ covid booster shots this autumn, if that is what the science _ covid booster shots this autumn, if that is what the science suggests l covid booster shots this autumn, if| that is what the science suggests is needed _ that is what the science suggests is needed perbaps— that is what the science suggests is needed. perhaps i— that is what the science suggests is needed. perhaps i could _ that is what the science suggests is needed. perhaps i could just- that is what the science suggests is needed. perhaps i could just spendi that is what the science suggests is. needed. perhaps i could just spend a moment— needed. perhaps i could just spend a moment on— needed. perhaps i could just spend a moment on what _ needed. perhaps i could just spend a moment on what this _ needed. perhaps i could just spend a moment on what this next _ needed. perhaps i could just spend a moment on what this next sprint - moment on what this next sprint looks— moment on what this next sprint looks like. — moment on what this next sprint looks like, the _ moment on what this next sprint looks like, the 11— moment on what this next sprint looks like, the 11 weeks - moment on what this next sprint looks like, the 11 weeks betweenj moment on what this next sprint - looks like, the 11 weeks between now and the _ looks like, the 11 weeks between now and the end _ looks like, the 11 weeks between now and the end of— looks like, the 11 weeks between now and the end of april. _ looks like, the 11 weeks between now and the end of april. we _ looks like, the 11 weeks between now and the end of april. we are - looks like, the 11 weeks between now and the end of april. we are going i and the end of april. we are going to be _ and the end of april. we are going to be doing — and the end of april. we are going to be doing three _ and the end of april. we are going to be doing three things. - and the end of april. we are going to be doing three things. first- and the end of april. we are going to be doing three things. first of. to be doing three things. first of all, to be doing three things. first of all. if— to be doing three things. first of all. if you — to be doing three things. first of all. if you are _ to be doing three things. first of all, if you are in _ to be doing three things. first of all, if you are in one _ to be doing three things. first of all, if you are in one of- to be doing three things. first of all, if you are in one of the - to be doing three things. first of. all, if you are in one of the groups who have — all, if you are in one of the groups who have already— all, if you are in one of the groups who have already been _ all, if you are in one of the groups who have already been asked - all, if you are in one of the groups who have already been asked to l all, if you are in one of the groups - who have already been asked to come forward _ who have already been asked to come forward for— who have already been asked to come forward for vaccination _ who have already been asked to come forward for vaccination and _ who have already been asked to come forward for vaccination and you - who have already been asked to come forward for vaccination and you are i forward for vaccination and you are one of— forward for vaccination and you are one of the — forward for vaccination and you are one of the few— forward for vaccination and you are one of the few people _ forward for vaccination and you are one of the few people who - forward for vaccination and you are one of the few people who haven't| one of the few people who haven't chosen _ one of the few people who haven't chosen to — one of the few people who haven't chosen to do — one of the few people who haven't chosen to do so, _ one of the few people who haven't chosen to do so, you _ one of the few people who haven't chosen to do so, you still- one of the few people who haven't chosen to do so, you still can - one of the few people who haven't chosen to do so, you still can do l chosen to do so, you still can do that _ chosen to do so, you still can do that so. — chosen to do so, you still can do that. so, although, _ chosen to do so, you still can do that. so, although, as— chosen to do so, you still can do that. so, although, as the - chosen to do so, you still can do| that. so, although, as the prime minister— that. so, although, as the prime minister says. _ that. so, although, as the prime minister says, uptake _ that. so, although, as the prime minister says, uptake has- that. so, although, as the prime minister says, uptake has been i minister says, uptake has been fantastic. — minister says, uptake has been fantastic. we _ minister says, uptake has been fantastic, we thought _ minister says, uptake has been fantastic, we thought that - minister says, uptake has been i fantastic, we thought that perhaps three _ fantastic, we thought that perhaps three quarters— fantastic, we thought that perhaps three quarters of— fantastic, we thought that perhaps three quarters of people _ fantastic, we thought that perhaps three quarters of people would - three quarters of people would accept — three quarters of people would accept the _ three quarters of people would accept the offer— three quarters of people would accept the offer to _ three quarters of people would accept the offer to be - three quarters of people would i accept the offer to be vaccinated for people — accept the offer to be vaccinated for people aged _ accept the offer to be vaccinated for people aged 70 _ accept the offer to be vaccinated for people aged 70 and - accept the offer to be vaccinated for people aged 70 and above, l accept the offer to be vaccinated l for people aged 70 and above, as accept the offer to be vaccinated - for people aged 70 and above, as the prime _ for people aged 70 and above, as the prime minister— for people aged 70 and above, as the prime minister says— for people aged 70 and above, as the prime minister says that _ for people aged 70 and above, as the prime minister says that is _ for people aged 70 and above, as the prime minister says that is over- prime minister says that is over 90%~ _ prime minister says that is over 90%. nevertheless, _ prime minister says that is over 90%. nevertheless, if- prime minister says that is over 90%. nevertheless, if you - prime minister says that is over 90%. nevertheless, if you have prime minister says that is over- 90%. nevertheless, if you have not taken _ 90%. nevertheless, if you have not taken up _ 90%. nevertheless, if you have not taken up that— 90%. nevertheless, if you have not taken up that opportunity, - 90%. nevertheless, if you have not taken up that opportunity, you - 90%. nevertheless, if you have not taken up that opportunity, you still| taken up that opportunity, you still can do— taken up that opportunity, you still can do so — taken up that opportunity, you still can do so get _ taken up that opportunity, you still can do so. get back— taken up that opportunity, you still can do so. get back in— taken up that opportunity, you still can do so. get back in touch - taken up that opportunity, you still can do so. get back in touch with l can do so. get back in touch with the nhs. — can do so. get back in touch with the nhs. with— can do so. get back in touch with the nhs, with your— can do so. get back in touch with the nhs, with your local- can do so. get back in touch with the nhs, with your local gp, - can do so. get back in touch with the nhs, with your local gp, and that will— the nhs, with your local gp, and that will be — the nhs, with your local gp, and that will be arranged. _ the nhs, with your local gp, and that will be arranged. the - the nhs, with your local gp, and| that will be arranged. the second thing _ that will be arranged. the second thing we — that will be arranged. the second thing we are _ that will be arranged. the second thing we are going _ that will be arranged. the second thing we are going to— that will be arranged. the second thing we are going to be - that will be arranged. the second thing we are going to be doing i thing we are going to be doing between — thing we are going to be doing between now— thing we are going to be doing between now and _ thing we are going to be doing between now and the - thing we are going to be doing between now and the end - thing we are going to be doing between now and the end of. thing we are going to be doing. between now and the end of april thing we are going to be doing - between now and the end of april is making _ between now and the end of april is making sure — between now and the end of april is making sure that _ between now and the end of april is making sure that people _ between now and the end of april is making sure that people get - between now and the end of april is making sure that people get the - making sure that people get the second — making sure that people get the second booster— making sure that people get the second booster doses _ making sure that people get the second booster doses for- making sure that people get the second booster doses for those i making sure that people get the - second booster doses for those that have already — second booster doses for those that have already had _ second booster doses for those that have already had their— second booster doses for those that have already had their first - second booster doses for those that have already had their first dose. i have already had their first dose. that will— have already had their first dose. that will particularly— have already had their first dose. that will particularly begin - have already had their first dose. that will particularly begin from i that will particularly begin from early _ that will particularly begin from early to — that will particularly begin from early to mid _ that will particularly begin from early to mid march, _ that will particularly begin from early to mid march, 12 - that will particularly begin from early to mid march, 12 weeks i that will particularly begin from | early to mid march, 12 weeks on that will particularly begin from - early to mid march, 12 weeks on from the first_ early to mid march, 12 weeks on from the first vaccinations. _ early to mid march, 12 weeks on from the first vaccinations. we _ early to mid march, 12 weeks on from the first vaccinations. we are - the first vaccinations. we are reserving _ the first vaccinations. we are reserving the _ the first vaccinations. we are reserving the vaccines - the first vaccinations. we are reserving the vaccines that. the first vaccinations. we are i reserving the vaccines that are needed — reserving the vaccines that are needed for— reserving the vaccines that are needed for that. _ reserving the vaccines that are needed for that. and - reserving the vaccines that are needed for that. and you - reserving the vaccines that are needed for that. and you will. reserving the vaccines that are i needed for that. and you will go back_ needed for that. and you will go back to — needed for that. and you will go back to the _ needed for that. and you will go back to the same _ needed for that. and you will go back to the same place - needed for that. and you will go back to the same place where l needed for that. and you will go i back to the same place where you needed for that. and you will go - back to the same place where you had your first _ back to the same place where you had your first vaccination, _ back to the same place where you had your first vaccination, and _ back to the same place where you had your first vaccination, and if _ back to the same place where you had your first vaccination, and if you - your first vaccination, and if you don't _ your first vaccination, and if you don't already— your first vaccination, and if you don't already have _ your first vaccination, and if you don't already have an _ your first vaccination, and if you i don't already have an appointment for that, _ don't already have an appointment forthat, don't— don't already have an appointment for that, don't worry. _ don't already have an appointment for that, don't worry. the - don't already have an appointment for that, don't worry. the nhs- don't already have an appointment for that, don't worry. the nhs will| for that, don't worry. the nhs will contact _ for that, don't worry. the nhs will contact you — for that, don't worry. the nhs will contact you to _ for that, don't worry. the nhs will contact you to set _ for that, don't worry. the nhs will contact you to set up _ for that, don't worry. the nhs will contact you to set up that - for that, don't worry. the nhs will contact you to set up that second i contact you to set up that second trooster— contact you to set up that second booster shot~ _ contact you to set up that second booster shot. of— contact you to set up that second booster shot. of course, - contact you to set up that second booster shot. of course, the - contact you to set up that second | booster shot. of course, the third thing _ booster shot. of course, the third thing we — booster shot. of course, the third thing we are — booster shot. of course, the third thing we are going _ booster shot. of course, the third thing we are going to— booster shot. of course, the third thing we are going to be - booster shot. of course, the third thing we are going to be doing, i thing we are going to be doing, between — thing we are going to be doing, between now— thing we are going to be doing, between now and _ thing we are going to be doing, between now and the _ thing we are going to be doing, between now and the end - thing we are going to be doing, between now and the end of. thing we are going to be doing, i between now and the end of april, thing we are going to be doing, - between now and the end of april, is extending _ between now and the end of april, is extending the — between now and the end of april, is extending the offer— between now and the end of april, is extending the offer to _ between now and the end of april, is extending the offer to a _ between now and the end of april, is extending the offer to a larger- extending the offer to a larger group — extending the offer to a larger group of— extending the offer to a larger group of people _ extending the offer to a larger group of people. in— extending the offer to a larger group of people. in fact, - extending the offer to a largeri group of people. in fact, more people — group of people. in fact, more people in— group of people. in fact, more people in this _ group of people. in fact, more people in this next _ group of people. in fact, more people in this next group - group of people. in fact, more people in this next group than| group of people. in fact, more i people in this next group than we have _ people in this next group than we have vaccinated _ people in this next group than we have vaccinated in _ people in this next group than we have vaccinated in the _ people in this next group than we have vaccinated in the first - people in this next group than we | have vaccinated in the first group, since _ have vaccinated in the first group, since the — have vaccinated in the first group, since the beginning _ have vaccinated in the first group, since the beginning of— have vaccinated in the first group, since the beginning of the - since the beginning of the programme, _ since the beginning of the programme, through- since the beginning of the programme, through to l since the beginning of the - programme, through to today. for people _ programme, through to today. for people aged — programme, through to today. for people aged 65-69. _ programme, through to today. for people aged 65—69, as— programme, through to today. for people aged 65—69, as the - programme, through to today. for people aged 65—69, as the primel people aged 65—69, as the prime minister— people aged 65—69, as the prime minister says. _ people aged 65—69, as the prime minister says, you _ people aged 65—69, as the prime minister says, you will— people aged 65—69, as the prime minister says, you will be - people aged 65—69, as the prime minister says, you will be gettingi minister says, you will be getting tetters _ minister says, you will be getting tetters today, _ minister says, you will be getting letters today, tomorrow, - minister says, you will be getting letters today, tomorrow, this - minister says, you will be getting i letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting _ letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting you — letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting you to — letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting you to book _ letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting you to book in _ letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting you to book in for _ letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting you to book in for your- inviting you to book in for your vaccination~ _ inviting you to book in for your vaccination. in _ inviting you to book in for your vaccination. in the _ inviting you to book in for your vaccination. in the first - inviting you to book in for your. vaccination. in the first instance, we are _ vaccination. in the first instance, we are inviting _ vaccination. in the first instance, we are inviting you _ vaccination. in the first instance, we are inviting you to _ vaccination. in the first instance, we are inviting you to consider. we are inviting you to consider doing — we are inviting you to consider doing so— we are inviting you to consider doing so at— we are inviting you to consider doing so at one _ we are inviting you to consider doing so at one of— we are inviting you to consider doing so at one of the - we are inviting you to consider doing so at one of the larger. doing so at one of the larger vaccination _ doing so at one of the larger vaccination centres, - doing so at one of the larger vaccination centres, or- doing so at one of the larger vaccination centres, or the l vaccination centres, or the pharmacists— vaccination centres, or the pharmacists who - vaccination centres, or the pharmacists who are - vaccination centres, or the pharmacists who are part i vaccination centres, or the. pharmacists who are part of vaccination centres, or the - pharmacists who are part of the programme _ pharmacists who are part of the programme but— pharmacists who are part of the programme. but if— pharmacists who are part of the programme. but if that - pharmacists who are part of the programme. but if that is - pharmacists who are part of the programme. but if that is not . programme. but if that is not convenient _ programme. but if that is not convenient for— programme. but if that is not convenient for you, _ programme. but if that is not convenient for you, you - programme. but if that is not convenient for you, you can l programme. but if that is not. convenient for you, you can hold programme. but if that is not - convenient for you, you can hold on and you _ convenient for you, you can hold on and you witt— convenient for you, you can hold on and you will be _ convenient for you, you can hold on and you will be contacted _ convenient for you, you can hold on and you will be contacted by- convenient for you, you can hold on and you will be contacted by your. and you will be contacted by your tocat— and you will be contacted by your local gp~ — and you will be contacted by your local gp~ the _ and you will be contacted by your local gp. the reason— and you will be contacted by your local gp. the reason we - and you will be contacted by your local gp. the reason we are - and you will be contacted by your| local gp. the reason we are doing that is— local gp. the reason we are doing that is that — local gp. the reason we are doing that is that we _ local gp. the reason we are doing that is that we want _ local gp. the reason we are doing that is that we want the _ local gp. the reason we are doing that is that we want the gps - local gp. the reason we are doing that is that we want the gps who,i that is that we want the gps who, together, — that is that we want the gps who, together, have _ that is that we want the gps who, together, have done _ that is that we want the gps who, together, have done about- that is that we want the gps who, together, have done about three i together, have done about three quarters — together, have done about three quarters of— together, have done about three quarters of the _ together, have done about three quarters of the vaccination - together, have done about three quarters of the vaccination so . together, have done about three l quarters of the vaccination so far, to use _ quarters of the vaccination so far, to use the — quarters of the vaccination so far, to use the next _ quarters of the vaccination so far, to use the next several _ quarters of the vaccination so far, to use the next several weeks - quarters of the vaccination so far, to use the next several weeks toi to use the next several weeks to focus _ to use the next several weeks to focus particularly _ to use the next several weeks to focus particularly on _ to use the next several weeks to focus particularly on more - to use the next several weeks to focus particularly on more than i to use the next several weeks to| focus particularly on more than 6 million _ focus particularly on more than 6 million people _ focus particularly on more than 6 million people who _ focus particularly on more than 6 million people who have - focus particularly on more than 6 million people who have got- million people who have got undertying _ million people who have got underlying health— million people who have got underlying health conditions million people who have got- underlying health conditions that put them — underlying health conditions that put them at _ underlying health conditions that put them at higher— underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk. - underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk. and, - underlying health conditions that. put them at higher risk. and, given the relationship _ put them at higher risk. and, given the relationship they— put them at higher risk. and, given the relationship they have - put them at higher risk. and, given the relationship they have with - the relationship they have with their— the relationship they have with their tocat— the relationship they have with their local practice _ the relationship they have with their local practice and - the relationship they have with their local practice and the - their local practice and the tong-term _ their local practice and the long—term health - their local practice and the i long—term health conditions their local practice and the - long—term health conditions that the gps are _ long—term health conditions that the gps are already _ long—term health conditions that the gps are already familiar— long—term health conditions that the gps are already familiar with - gps are already familiar with managing. _ gps are already familiar with managing, that _ gps are already familiar with managing, that make - gps are already familiar with managing, that make sense| gps are already familiar with i managing, that make sense for gps are already familiar with - managing, that make sense for the gps to— managing, that make sense for the gps to be _ managing, that make sense for the gps to be focusing _ managing, that make sense for the gps to be focusing on _ managing, that make sense for the gps to be focusing on that - managing, that make sense for the gps to be focusing on that group i managing, that make sense for the gps to be focusing on that group ofi gps to be focusing on that group of people _ gps to be focusing on that group of people over— gps to be focusing on that group of people over the _ gps to be focusing on that group of people over the next _ gps to be focusing on that group of people over the next several- gps to be focusing on that group ofi people over the next several weeks. there _ people over the next several weeks. there was, — people over the next several weeks. there was, for— people over the next several weeks. there was, for example, _ people over the next several weeks. there was, for example, people - people over the next several weeks. | there was, for example, people with diabetes. _ there was, for example, people with diabetes, heart _ there was, for example, people with diabetes, heart problems, _ there was, for example, people with diabetes, heart problems, with - diabetes, heart problems, with severe — diabetes, heart problems, with severe learning _ diabetes, heart problems, with severe learning disabilities- diabetes, heart problems, with severe learning disabilities or. severe learning disabilities or mental— severe learning disabilities or mental illnesses. _ severe learning disabilities or mental illnesses. if— severe learning disabilities or mental illnesses. if you - severe learning disabilities or mental illnesses. if you are l severe learning disabilities or| mental illnesses. if you are in severe learning disabilities or- mental illnesses. if you are in one of those _ mental illnesses. if you are in one of those categories, _ mental illnesses. if you are in one of those categories, your- mental illnesses. if you are in one of those categories, your gp, - of those categories, your gp, tocatty, — of those categories, your gp, tocatty, witt _ of those categories, your gp, locally, will be _ of those categories, your gp, locally, will be in _ of those categories, your gp, locally, will be in touch - of those categories, your gp, locally, will be in touch with i of those categories, your gp, - locally, will be in touch with you, asking _ locally, will be in touch with you, asking you — locally, will be in touch with you, asking you to _ locally, will be in touch with you, asking you to come _ locally, will be in touch with you, asking you to come forward - locally, will be in touch with you, asking you to come forward for l asking you to come forward for vaccination~ _ asking you to come forward for vaccination. we _ asking you to come forward for vaccination. we are _ asking you to come forward for vaccination. we are also - asking you to come forward for vaccination. we are also going| asking you to come forward for . vaccination. we are also going to asking you to come forward for - vaccination. we are also going to be offering _ vaccination. we are also going to be offering vaccination— vaccination. we are also going to be offering vaccination to _ vaccination. we are also going to be offering vaccination to younger - offering vaccination to younger adults— offering vaccination to younger adults living _ offering vaccination to younger adults living in _ offering vaccination to younger adults living in care _ offering vaccination to younger adults living in care homes- offering vaccination to younger adults living in care homes or. adults living in care homes or communal— adults living in care homes or communal settings, - adults living in care homes or communal settings, as - adults living in care homes or communal settings, as well l adults living in care homes or| communal settings, as well as adults living in care homes or- communal settings, as well as to eligible _ communal settings, as well as to eligible adutt _ communal settings, as well as to eligible adult carers. _ communal settings, as well as to eligible adult carers. and - communal settings, as well as to eligible adult carers. and they. communal settings, as well as to| eligible adult carers. and they will also be _ eligible adult carers. and they will also be contacted _ eligible adult carers. and they will also be contacted by— eligible adult carers. and they will also be contacted by letter- eligible adult carers. and they will| also be contacted by letter through the national— also be contacted by letter through the national booking _ also be contacted by letter through the national booking service. - also be contacted by letter through the national booking service. so, l also be contacted by letter through| the national booking service. so, in a nutshell, — the national booking service. so, in a nutshell, wait— the national booking service. so, in a nutshell, wait for— the national booking service. so, in a nutshell, wait for the _ the national booking service. so, in a nutshell, wait for the nhs- the national booking service. so, in a nutshell, wait for the nhs to - the national booking service. so, in a nutshell, wait for the nhs to geti a nutshell, wait for the nhs to get in touch— a nutshell, wait for the nhs to get in touch with — a nutshell, wait for the nhs to get in touch with you. _ a nutshell, wait for the nhs to get in touch with you. invites - a nutshell, wait for the nhs to get in touch with you. invites will- a nutshell, wait for the nhs to get in touch with you. invites will be . in touch with you. invites will be on a _ in touch with you. invites will be on a rotting _ in touch with you. invites will be on a rolling basis. _ in touch with you. invites will be on a rolling basis. when- in touch with you. invites will be on a rolling basis. when it - in touch with you. invites will be on a rolling basis. when it is - in touch with you. invites will be i on a rolling basis. when it is your turn _ on a rolling basis. when it is your turn in _ on a rolling basis. when it is your turn in this— on a rolling basis. when it is your turn. in this next _ on a rolling basis. when it is your turn. in this next phase, - on a rolling basis. when it is your turn. in this next phase, the - on a rolling basis. when it is your. turn. in this next phase, the second sprint, _ turn. in this next phase, the second sprint, actuatty, _ turn. in this next phase, the second sprint, actually, we _ turn. in this next phase, the second sprint, actually, we are _ turn. in this next phase, the second sprint, actually, we are going - turn. in this next phase, the second sprint, actually, we are going to- turn. in this next phase, the second sprint, actually, we are going to be| sprint, actually, we are going to be vaccinating — sprint, actually, we are going to be vaccinating a — sprint, actually, we are going to be vaccinating a larger— sprint, actually, we are going to be vaccinating a larger number- sprint, actually, we are going to be vaccinating a larger number of- vaccinating a larger number of people — vaccinating a larger number of people than— vaccinating a larger number of people than in— vaccinating a larger number of people than in the _ vaccinating a larger number of people than in the first - vaccinating a larger number of people than in the first sprint. i people than in the first sprint. and, _ people than in the first sprint. and, overall, _ people than in the first sprint. and, overall, although- people than in the first sprint. and, overall, although supply| people than in the first sprint. - and, overall, although supply will vary week— and, overall, although supply will vary week to _ and, overall, although supply will vary week to week— and, overall, although supply will vary week to week and _ and, overall, although supply will vary week to week and we - and, overall, although supply will vary week to week and we will- and, overall, although supply will. vary week to week and we will have to adjust— vary week to week and we will have to adjust accordingly, _ vary week to week and we will have to adjust accordingly, we _ vary week to week and we will have to adjust accordingly, we may - vary week to week and we will have to adjust accordingly, we may be i to adjust accordingly, we may be giving _ to adjust accordingly, we may be giving up — to adjust accordingly, we may be giving up to— to adjust accordingly, we may be giving up to twice _ to adjust accordingly, we may be giving up to twice as _ to adjust accordingly, we may be giving up to twice as many- giving up to twice as many vaccinations— giving up to twice as many vaccinations overall, - giving up to twice as many vaccinations overall, given giving up to twice as many- vaccinations overall, given that we have _ vaccinations overall, given that we have to _ vaccinations overall, given that we have to be — vaccinations overall, given that we have to be doing _ vaccinations overall, given that we have to be doing the _ vaccinations overall, given that we have to be doing the second - vaccinations overall, given that we have to be doing the second doses vaccinations overall, given that we i have to be doing the second doses as well, than _ have to be doing the second doses as well, than we — have to be doing the second doses as well, than we have _ have to be doing the second doses as well, than we have done _ have to be doing the second doses as well, than we have done in— have to be doing the second doses as well, than we have done in the - have to be doing the second doses as well, than we have done in the first l well, than we have done in the first sprint~ _ well, than we have done in the first sprint~ in _ well, than we have done in the first sprint. in conclusion, _ well, than we have done in the first sprint. in conclusion, a _ well, than we have done in the first sprint. in conclusion, a big - well, than we have done in the first sprint. in conclusion, a big thank. sprint. in conclusion, a big thank you to _ sprint. in conclusion, a big thank you to the — sprint. in conclusion, a big thank you to the public _ sprint. in conclusion, a big thank you to the public for _ sprint. in conclusion, a big thank you to the public for helping - sprint. in conclusion, a big thank you to the public for helping us l sprint. in conclusion, a big thank. you to the public for helping us get this right — you to the public for helping us get this right an— you to the public for helping us get this right. an enormous— you to the public for helping us get this right. an enormous thanks - you to the public for helping us get this right. an enormous thanks to. this right. an enormous thanks to staff and — this right. an enormous thanks to staff and volunteers _ this right. an enormous thanks to staff and volunteers and - this right. an enormous thanks to staff and volunteers and partners| staff and volunteers and partners across _ staff and volunteers and partners across the — staff and volunteers and partners across the health _ staff and volunteers and partners across the health service - staff and volunteers and partners across the health service for - across the health service for getting — across the health service for getting this _ across the health service for getting this done. _ across the health service for getting this done. and, - across the health service for getting this done. and, if. across the health service fori getting this done. and, if you across the health service for - getting this done. and, if you will forgive _ getting this done. and, if you will forgive coining _ getting this done. and, if you will forgive coining the _ getting this done. and, if you will forgive coining the phrase - getting this done. and, if you will forgive coining the phrase of- getting this done. and, if you will forgive coining the phrase of the| forgive coining the phrase of the prime _ forgive coining the phrase of the prime minister, _ forgive coining the phrase of the prime minister, i— forgive coining the phrase of the prime minister, ithink- forgive coining the phrase of the prime minister, i think what- forgive coining the phrase of the prime minister, i think what my| prime minister, i think what my colleagues _ prime minister, i think what my colleagues across— prime minister, i think what my colleagues across the _ prime minister, i think what my colleagues across the health i prime minister, i think what my- colleagues across the health service are saying _ colleagues across the health service are saying is — colleagues across the health service are saying is give _ colleagues across the health service are saying is give us _ colleagues across the health service are saying is give us the _ colleagues across the health service are saying is give us the tools, - colleagues across the health service are saying is give us the tools, the l are saying is give us the tools, the vaccines, — are saying is give us the tools, the vaccines, and _ are saying is give us the tools, the vaccines, and we _ are saying is give us the tools, the vaccines, and we will— are saying is give us the tools, the vaccines, and we will finish- are saying is give us the tools, the vaccines, and we will finish the - vaccines, and we will finish the job _ vaccines, and we will finish the “ob. ., ~' , ., , vaccines, and we will finish the “ob. . ,, i. , . vaccines, and we will finish the “ob. . ,, , . ,, ., vaccines, and we will finish the “ob. . , . ,, ., . job. thank you very much, simon. we certainly intend _ job. thank you very much, simon. we certainly intend to _ job. thank you very much, simon. we certainly intend to do _ job. thank you very much, simon. we certainly intend to do everything - job. thank you very much, simon. we certainly intend to do everything we i certainly intend to do everything we can to give you those vaccines. let's go to sara from basingstoke. given the likely need for an autumn covid _ given the likely need for an autumn covid booster, and then thereafter, how the _ covid booster, and then thereafter, how the nhs cope with the ongoing to vaccinate _ how the nhs cope with the ongoing to vaccinate millions of people guickty. _ vaccinate millions of people quickly, on an almost never—ending cycte, _ quickly, on an almost never—ending cycle, and _ quickly, on an almost never—ending cycle, and still being able to resume _ cycle, and still being able to resume normal one—on—one health care provision _ resume normal one—on—one health care provision at _ resume normal one—on—one health care provision at the same time? my instinctive _ provision at the same time? iji instinctive answer is provision at the same time? m1: instinctive answer is that provision at the same time? m1 instinctive answer is that the nhs already runs a massive vaccination programmes for flu every year. but perhaps chris and simon might want to answer? i'll give the medical answer. i'll give the medicalanswer. in terms — i'll give the medicalanswer. in terms of— i'll give the medicalanswer. in terms of covid vaccination, there are two— terms of covid vaccination, there are two reasons to do this. one of which _ are two reasons to do this. one of which is _ are two reasons to do this. one of which is if— are two reasons to do this. one of which is if immunity is starting to wane _ which is if immunity is starting to wane and — which is if immunity is starting to wane and we don't know how long we will have _ wane and we don't know how long we will have to _ wane and we don't know how long we will have to have between revaccinations, it might be long or short. _ revaccinations, it might be long or short. it _ revaccinations, it might be long or short. it is — revaccinations, it might be long or short, it is too early to tell. the second — short, it is too early to tell. the second reason is if we end up with variants _ second reason is if we end up with variants of— second reason is if we end up with variants of the virus that can escape — variants of the virus that can escape around immunity which the vaccine _ escape around immunity which the vaccine provides. and i think there is reasonable evidence we might have to do that _ is reasonable evidence we might have to do that this year because there are several— to do that this year because there are several variants that look similar— are several variants that look similar to _ are several variants that look similar to one another in many ways, which _ similar to one another in many ways, which actually could have slightly reduced. — which actually could have slightly reduced, not completely but slightly reduced _ reduced, not completely but slightly reduced or in some cases more than stightty— reduced or in some cases more than slightly reduced effectiveness from the vaccine in which case we redesigned the vaccine, scientists redesign— redesigned the vaccine, scientists redesign it, and it means we can give _ redesign it, and it means we can give out — redesign it, and it means we can give out revaccinations against the new variant but how ready we will have _ new variant but how ready we will have to _ new variant but how ready we will have to do — new variant but how ready we will have to do it and whether it has to be the _ have to do it and whether it has to be the whole population or as is more _ be the whole population or as is more common with flu just limiting it to those — more common with flu just limiting it to those who have got the highest risk from _ it to those who have got the highest risk from health, we will have to see and — risk from health, we will have to see and it — risk from health, we will have to see and it will probably vary year try year— see and it will probably vary year by year but it shouldn't be seen as something — by year but it shouldn't be seen as something on this scale continuously. it'll be more limited and dependent on how frequently we can do— and dependent on how frequently we can do it _ can do it. so - can do it. sojust adding to can do it. so just adding to what do it — so just adding to what chris has said. _ so just adding to what chris has said. i_ so just adding to what chris has said. ithink— so just adding to what chris has said, i think the _ so just adding to what chris has said, i think the first— so just adding to what chris has said, i think the first thing - so just adding to what chris has said, i think the first thing to i so just adding to what chris hasi said, i think the first thing to say is we _ said, i think the first thing to say is we have — said, i think the first thing to say is we have obviously— said, i think the first thing to say is we have obviously got - said, i think the first thing to say is we have obviously got many. is we have obviously got many thousands— is we have obviously got many thousands of— is we have obviously got many thousands of volunteers - is we have obviously got many thousands of volunteers who i is we have obviously got many- thousands of volunteers who have come _ thousands of volunteers who have come track— thousands of volunteers who have come back to _ thousands of volunteers who have come back to help _ thousands of volunteers who have come back to help and _ thousands of volunteers who have come back to help and even - thousands of volunteers who have come back to help and even if- thousands of volunteers who have come back to help and even if not| come back to help and even if not all of— come back to help and even if not all of them — come back to help and even if not all of them are _ come back to help and even if not all of them are vaccinating - come back to help and even if not all of them are vaccinating right l all of them are vaccinating right now, _ all of them are vaccinating right now. over— all of them are vaccinating right now, over time, _ all of them are vaccinating right now, overtime, during- all of them are vaccinating right now, over time, during the - all of them are vaccinating righti now, over time, during the year, all of them are vaccinating right - now, overtime, during the year, we will ask— now, overtime, during the year, we will ask them — now, overtime, during the year, we will ask them to _ now, overtime, during the year, we will ask them to help _ now, overtime, during the year, we will ask them to help out. _ now, overtime, during the year, we will ask them to help out. this - will ask them to help out. this morning — will ask them to help out. this morning i_ will ask them to help out. this morning i was— will ask them to help out. this morning i was in— will ask them to help out. this morning i was in oxford - will ask them to help out. this morning i was in oxford at- will ask them to help out. this| morning i was in oxford at one will ask them to help out. this i morning i was in oxford at one of our vaccination _ morning i was in oxford at one of our vaccination centres, - morning i was in oxford at one of our vaccination centres, st - morning i was in oxford at one of our vaccination centres, stjohn'sj our vaccination centres, st john's ambutance — our vaccination centres, stjohn's ambutance doing _ our vaccination centres, stjohn's ambulance doing a _ our vaccination centres, stjohn's ambulance doing a fantastic- our vaccination centres, stjohn's ambulance doing a fantasticjob i ambulance doing a fantasticjob training — ambulance doing a fantasticjob training volunteers _ ambulance doing a fantasticjob training volunteers to _ ambulance doing a fantasticjob training volunteers to help - ambulance doing a fantasticjob training volunteers to help with| ambulance doing a fantasticjob - training volunteers to help with the programme — training volunteers to help with the programme in— training volunteers to help with the programme. in coventry— training volunteers to help with the programme. in coventry on - training volunteers to help with the programme. in coventry on fridayl training volunteers to help with thej programme. in coventry on friday i was talking — programme. in coventry on friday i was talking to — programme. in coventry on friday i was talking to a _ programme. in coventry on friday i was talking to a retired _ programme. in coventry on friday i was talking to a retired nurse - programme. in coventry on friday i was talking to a retired nurse who i was talking to a retired nurse who had come — was talking to a retired nurse who had come track— was talking to a retired nurse who had come back to _ was talking to a retired nurse who had come back to help. _ was talking to a retired nurse who had come back to help. we - was talking to a retired nurse who had come back to help. we can. was talking to a retired nurse who - had come back to help. we can expand the number— had come back to help. we can expand the number of— had come back to help. we can expand the number of people _ had come back to help. we can expand the number of people who _ had come back to help. we can expand the number of people who are - had come back to help. we can expand the number of people who are helpingi the number of people who are helping over and _ the number of people who are helping over and above — the number of people who are helping over and above the _ the number of people who are helping over and above the usual— the number of people who are helping over and above the usual nhs - over and above the usual nhs workforce~ _ over and above the usual nhs workforce. and _ over and above the usual nhs workforce. and as _ over and above the usual nhs workforce. and as vaccine - over and above the usual nhs i workforce. and as vaccine supply increases — workforce. and as vaccine supply increases we _ workforce. and as vaccine supply increases we would _ workforce. and as vaccine supply increases we would expect - workforce. and as vaccine supply increases we would expect that i workforce. and as vaccine supply- increases we would expect that more hi-h increases we would expect that more high street— increases we would expect that more high street pharmacists _ increases we would expect that more high street pharmacists will - increases we would expect that more high street pharmacists will be - increases we would expect that more high street pharmacists will be able i high street pharmacists will be able to do more — high street pharmacists will be able to do more of— high street pharmacists will be able to do more of the _ high street pharmacists will be able to do more of the vaccinations - high street pharmacists will be able to do more of the vaccinations as i to do more of the vaccinations as well in _ to do more of the vaccinations as well in the — to do more of the vaccinations as well in the way _ to do more of the vaccinations as well in the way would _ to do more of the vaccinations as well in the way would normally. well in the way would normally happen— well in the way would normally happen in— well in the way would normally happen in the _ well in the way would normally happen in the flu _ well in the way would normally happen in the flu season. - well in the way would normally happen in the flu season. thanks very much- _ happen in the flu season. thanks very much- the _ happen in the flu season. thanks very much. the role _ happen in the flu season. thanks very much. the role of _ happen in the flu season. thanks very much. the role of high - happen in the flu season. thanks | very much. the role of high street pharmacists is incredibly important. hannah from glasgow. more and more people _ hannah from glasgow. more and more people are _ hannah from glasgow. more and more people are feeling the weight of the epidemic— people are feeling the weight of the epidemic now and seeking support for their mental health but feeling totatty— their mental health but feeling totally lost. i am personally concerned about some friends of mine who have _ concerned about some friends of mine who have displayed worrying changes in behaviour but don't know where to turn _ in behaviour but don't know where to turn witi— in behaviour but don't know where to turn. will the government commit to a mental— turn. will the government commit to a mental health spokesperson at the next coronavirus briefing to set out to the _ next coronavirus briefing to set out to the public how they can access mental— to the public how they can access mental health support? | to the public how they can access mental health support?— mental health support? i think that's actually _ mental health support? i think that's actually a _ mental health support? i think that's actually a very _ mental health support? i think that's actually a very good - mental health support? i think| that's actually a very good idea because there is no question that, as this goes on, and the lockdown continues, the stresses and strains are really, alas, beginning to tell on people, and it is very important for everybody to realise nhs mental health services are still there for you. you should use them if you need them. we've put a lot more money into supporting them, another £500 million into supporting the nhs mental health on top of the terrible £13 billion investment. but it is very important people make use of those services if they need them. it is also important to reach out to the voluntary sector, the mental health charities that the government is also supporting. they can be of great assistance as well. hannah, i think you are making a very valid point and we will try to find the right person to say something about how to do this, and i would encourage everybody to look after our mental well—being, and try and keep going through this pandemic. i hope there isn't that much longer to go now. but, you know, people have been under a lot of pressure, and we have to address that. anything you want to add, simon? just have to address that. anything you want to add, simon?— have to address that. anything you want to add, simon? just one thing to add 'ust want to add, simon? just one thing to add just because _ want to add, simon? just one thing to add just because it _ want to add, simon? just one thing to add just because it is _ want to add, simon? just one thing to add just because it is starting - to add just because it is starting today. _ to add just because it is starting today, one _ to add just because it is starting today, one of the next priority groups — today, one of the next priority groups is _ today, one of the next priority groups is people who have got significant mental health problems, so things— significant mental health problems, so things like schizophrenia or significant bipolar spectrum disorders. i think it is important people — disorders. i think it is important people are _ disorders. i think it is important people are supported to get vaccination. that is separate to the point _ vaccination. that is separate to the point is _ vaccination. that is separate to the point is the — vaccination. that is separate to the point is the pm is making more widely — point is the pm is making more widel ., . ~' �* point is the pm is making more widel ., , ,, �* ., ., widely. just think you're one of the --eole we widely. just think you're one of the peeple we could — widely. just think you're one of the people we could get _ widely. just think you're one of the people we could get up _ widely. just think you're one of the people we could get up to - widely. just think you're one of the people we could get up to talk- widely. just think you're one of the people we could get up to talk a i widely. just think you're one of the | people we could get up to talk a bit about how we are tackling the issue is doctor alex george, who i have appointed as our special representative, the government's special representative, on these mental health issues, especially as they affect young people, so i will get alex up and some others as well. thank you very much, how let's go to alex forsyth of the bbc.— alex forsyth of the bbc. thank you. you say you — alex forsyth of the bbc. thank you. you say you want — alex forsyth of the bbc. thank you. you say you want this _ alex forsyth of the bbc. thank you. you say you want this to _ alex forsyth of the bbc. thank you. you say you want this to be - alex forsyth of the bbc. thank you. you say you want this to be the - alex forsyth of the bbc. thank you. you say you want this to be the last | you say you want this to be the last tockdown _ you say you want this to be the last lockdown but can you give that guarantee given the unpredictable nature _ guarantee given the unpredictable nature of— guarantee given the unpredictable nature of this pandemic? does it mean _ nature of this pandemic? does it mean we — nature of this pandemic? does it mean we are looking at a very graduat— mean we are looking at a very gradual easing of restrictions? shoutd — gradual easing of restrictions? should we rule out getaways at easter. — should we rule out getaways at easter, for example? no, should we rule out getaways at easter, for example?— should we rule out getaways at easter, for example? no, i cannot ive that easter, for example? no, i cannot give that guarantee. _ easter, for example? no, i cannot give that guarantee. of— easter, for example? no, i cannot give that guarantee. of course - easter, for example? no, i cannot| give that guarantee. of course not. we are battling with nature, with a disease that is capable of mutating, and changing. i am increasingly confident and optimistic about the sheer extent of possibilities opening up with vaccinations. i will be setting out as much of a timetable as we can give on the 22nd. you know, i timetable as we can give on the 22nd. you know, lam timetable as we can give on the 22nd. you know, i am very hopeful we will be able to go ahead and open things up, and i will... but to say i will give a cast—iron guarantee that we will not face further difficulties and have to think harder and deeper about some problems, no, alex, at this stage, i can't. but i don't want people to think i am not optimistic. there has been a big change. and the big change is that science is now unquestionably in the ascendancy over the disease, which is manifested in all sorts of ways, not just through vaccination but also with better therapies and they are getting better the whole time. so people should be very much encouraged by what is going on at the moment. but we want to set out a timetable that is realistic. and that means one that is obviously cautious and takes a kind... the real state of the pandemic. anything to add? no, fine. thank you, alex. itv. �* , ~ to add? no, fine. thank you, alex. itv. i'd just like to find out how cautious you — itv. i'd just like to find out how cautious you intend _ itv. i'd just like to find out how cautious you intend to - itv. i'd just like to find out how cautious you intend to be. - itv. i'd just like to find out how| cautious you intend to be. once you've — cautious you intend to be. once you've got — cautious you intend to be. once you've got schools reopened fully, as you _ you've got schools reopened fully, as you hope to do on the 8th of march, — as you hope to do on the 8th of march, will you wait to see what effect _ march, will you wait to see what effect the — march, will you wait to see what effect the reopening of schools has had on _ effect the reopening of schools has had on the — effect the reopening of schools has had on the rate of infections before you open— had on the rate of infections before you open up anything else? how long might— you open up anything else? how long might that _ you open up anything else? how long might that take? also, do you think you witt— might that take? also, do you think you will be — might that take? also, do you think you will be able to announce any other— you will be able to announce any other lifting of restrictions at the same _ other lifting of restrictions at the same time as you make your announcement, whatever it may be, for example — announcement, whatever it may be, for example do you think you will be able to— for example do you think you will be able to tell— for example do you think you will be able to tell people they will be able to tell people they will be able to — able to tell people they will be able to start socialising outdoors? one able to start socialising outdoors? 0ne guick— able to start socialising outdoors? one quick one for christ whitty. you've — one quick one for christ whitty. you've said _ one quick one for christ whitty. you've said in the past the first place _ you've said in the past the first place we — you've said in the past the first place we will see the effect in the data of— place we will see the effect in the data of the vaccination programme is on the _ data of the vaccination programme is on the death rate. do you think we are seeing — on the death rate. do you think we are seeing that yet? if not, when would _ are seeing that yet? if not, when would you — are seeing that yet? if not, when would you expect to see it? karl, reat would you expect to see it? karl, great questions _ would you expect to see it? karl, great questions but, _ would you expect to see it? karl, great questions but, again, - would you expect to see it? karl, great questions but, again, as i would you expect to see it? i—i great questions but, again, as i said to alex or as i didn't say to alex, i think that i will be setting out as much as i possibly can but we don't really yet have sufficient clarity on the data to be sure now, today, as of this monday, 15th, exactly what we will be able to say to you on monday 22nd. that's because the data becomes clearer with every day that passes and we have to continue to evaluate. and, also, to be absolutely clear, these decisions we will take over the course of this week but they are not yet taken. and i would humbly advise anybody reading accounts of what we will do or hearing accounts of what we will do in the course of the next few months to take them with a pinch of salt, folks, because this is still speculation. when i explain on the 22nd what we will do, you will hear it directly from me. fin the 22nd what we will do, you will hear it directly from me.— hear it directly from me. on the secific hear it directly from me. on the specific question _ hear it directly from me. on the specific question you _ hear it directly from me. on the specific question you asked - hear it directly from me. on thej specific question you asked me, hear it directly from me. on the - specific question you asked me, we are putting — specific question you asked me, we are putting a lot of effort into trying — are putting a lot of effort into trying to _ are putting a lot of effort into trying to link together data on vaccination status compared to both admission— vaccination status compared to both admission to hospital, as a marker of severe _ admission to hospital, as a marker of severe disease, and the people who die, — of severe disease, and the people who die, which happens slightly tater~ _ who die, which happens slightly later i— who die, which happens slightly later. i think the earliest indications would imply that some effect _ indications would imply that some effect but it is too early to put a number — effect but it is too early to put a number on _ effect but it is too early to put a number on that. obviously, israel is pa rticuta rty — number on that. obviously, israel is particularly ahead in its vaccination programme and then there is evidence _ vaccination programme and then there is evidence there. we'd expect some evidence _ is evidence there. we'd expect some evidence it _ is evidence there. we'd expect some evidence it is strong enough to be able to— evidence it is strong enough to be able to put— evidence it is strong enough to be able to put into the public domain in the _ able to put into the public domain in the next — able to put into the public domain in the next few weeks.— able to put into the public domain in the next few weeks. thanks, carl. sam coates. — in the next few weeks. thanks, carl. sam coates, skye. _ in the next few weeks. thanks, carl. sam coates, skye. prime _ in the next few weeks. thanks, carl. sam coates, skye. prime minister, i sam coates, skye. prime minister, ou want sam coates, skye. prime minister, you want this _ sam coates, skye. prime minister, you want this morning _ sam coates, skye. prime minister, you want this morning the - you want this morning the vaccination programme is 100% effective — vaccination programme is 100% effective. can you spell out what you mean— effective. can you spell out what you mean by that and the implications of that? professor chris— implications of that? professor chris whitty, what are the implications of this for protecting public— implications of this for protecting public health? do you think some social— public health? do you think some social distancing measures will become — social distancing measures will become permanent? thanks very much, sam. i will ask chris to comment on this point of the effectiveness of the vaccination programmes. clearly, there will be some people, if you have a vaccine thatis some people, if you have a vaccine that is 80% or 90% effective, some people logically will not benefit from it as much as others. we think, and there is no vaccination programme we know that is 100% effective in protecting everybody who gets vaccination from disease, but we think and we have good reason to think that both the vaccines we are currently using, and there are more coming down the track, both of them are effective in offering you a high degree of protection against a serious disease or death. and that is a great thing. we are unable at the moment precisely to quantify what that means in terms of driving down the incidents of the pandemic in this country, how fast that can go. and that's why we have to be cautious at the moment. as chris was saying, we have some interesting data from israel. but we just need to wait a little bit longer before we can talk with authority about the effectiveness of the overall programme. we know it'll work. it is the speed at which it works is really what we are still waiting to see, i think it is fair to say. in terms of. _ see, i think it is fair to say. in terms of, firstly, the general point of the _ terms of, firstly, the general point of the vaccines, the effect of this, as i of the vaccines, the effect of this, as i tried — of the vaccines, the effect of this, as i tried to— of the vaccines, the effect of this, as i tried to lay out at the beginning, will build, the whole population being vaccinated. in the longer— population being vaccinated. in the longer term we hope the whole world bein- longer term we hope the whole world being vaccinated because it has been repeatedly and rightly said no one is safe _ repeatedly and rightly said no one is safe until everyone is safe. what that means — is safe until everyone is safe. what that means is the risk will gradually go down so it won't suddenly move from you having to do everything _ suddenly move from you having to do everything to nothing. little by little _ everything to nothing. little by little we — everything to nothing. little by little we will derisk it. then improve _ little we will derisk it. then improve treatments, with positive triats _ improve treatments, with positive triats tast — improve treatments, with positive trials last week, the effects of all of these — trials last week, the effects of all of these together will gradually reduce — of these together will gradually reduce the risk of this. but whether we witt— reduce the risk of this. but whether we will get — reduce the risk of this. but whether we will get it down to the point where — we will get it down to the point where it— we will get it down to the point where it is— we will get it down to the point where it is zero for all time or whether— where it is zero for all time or whether it _ where it is zero for all time or whether it will take it down to a very— whether it will take it down to a very low — whether it will take it down to a very low level with some residual risk or— very low level with some residual risk or a — very low level with some residual risk or a level where very occasionally have to do things at various— occasionally have to do things at various points of the season, it is too early— various points of the season, it is too early to— various points of the season, it is too early to say. the hope is we get too early to say. the hope is we get to a point— too early to say. the hope is we get to a point where the minimum effort is used _ to a point where the minimum effort is used by— to a point where the minimum effort is used by things like any kind of social— is used by things like any kind of social distancing, and by far the majority— social distancing, and by far the majority or— social distancing, and by far the majority or all the heavy lifting is done _ majority or all the heavy lifting is done by— majority or all the heavy lifting is done by vaccination drugs, and the basic— done by vaccination drugs, and the basic things like washing hands which _ basic things like washing hands which people should be doing anyway. what is _ which people should be doing anyway. what is the _ which people should be doing anyway. what is the name of the drug again? i can't pronounce it. toxilumab. sorry, it is tocilizumab, and it helps to drive down mortality? yes. helps to drive down mortality? yes, with trials done _ helps to drive down mortality? yes, with trials done by _ helps to drive down mortality? yes, with trials done by the _ helps to drive down mortality? yes, with trials done by the nhs. tocilizumab, ok, good. the ft. we know there remain ongoing concerns surrounding — know there remain ongoing concerns surrounding vaccine hesitancy in uptake — surrounding vaccine hesitancy in uptake publicly among social care workers — uptake publicly among social care workers. there is an publicly available _ workers. there is an publicly available nhs data detailing how many— available nhs data detailing how many people have turned down the offer of _ many people have turned down the offer of the vaccine. what the government to publish this data and what specific stats has the government taken to address issues relating _ government taken to address issues relating to— government taken to address issues relating to vaccine hesitancy and the spreading of disinformation, particularly around minority groups? lastty. _ particularly around minority groups? lastty. you _ particularly around minority groups? lastly, you said the government woutdn't — lastly, you said the government wouldn't be keen on using vaccine passports — wouldn't be keen on using vaccine passports within facilities such as pubs _ passports within facilities such as pubs but — passports within facilities such as pubs but how does the government intend _ pubs but how does the government intend to _ pubs but how does the government intend to prevent companies from mandating all customers having to have some — mandating all customers having to have some sort of proof of vaccination before being able to use their services? you vaccination before being able to use their services?— their services? you are completely riht, their services? you are completely right. there _ their services? you are completely right. there is _ their services? you are completely right, there is a _ their services? you are completely right, there is a real— their services? you are completely right, there is a real concern - their services? you are completelyj right, there is a real concern about hesitancy— right, there is a real concern about hesitancy on — right, there is a real concern about hesitancy on the _ right, there is a real concern about hesitancy on the part _ right, there is a real concern about hesitancy on the part of— right, there is a real concern about hesitancy on the part of some - right, there is a real concern about| hesitancy on the part of some black and south _ hesitancy on the part of some black and south asian _ hesitancy on the part of some black and south asian communities, - hesitancy on the part of some black and south asian communities, to l and south asian communities, to accept _ and south asian communities, to accept the — and south asian communities, to accept the vaccine _ and south asian communities, to accept the vaccine offer - and south asian communities, to accept the vaccine offer that - and south asian communities, to accept the vaccine offer that they are receiving, _ accept the vaccine offer that they are receiving, either— accept the vaccine offer that they are receiving, eitherat_ accept the vaccine offer that they are receiving, either at work, - accept the vaccine offer that they are receiving, eitherat work, if. are receiving, eitherat work, if they— are receiving, eitherat work, if theyare — are receiving, eitherat work, if theyare a _ are receiving, eitherat work, if they are a health _ are receiving, eitherat work, if they are a health and social - are receiving, eitherat work, if| they are a health and social care worker, — they are a health and social care worker, or— they are a health and social care worker, oras— they are a health and social care worker, oras a— they are a health and social care worker, oras a member- they are a health and social care worker, or as a member of- they are a health and social care worker, or as a member of the i worker, or as a member of the public — worker, or as a member of the public what— worker, or as a member of the public. what is— worker, or as a member of the public. what is happening - worker, or as a member of the i public. what is happening about worker, or as a member of the - public. what is happening about that is that— public. what is happening about that is that there — public. what is happening about that is that there is _ public. what is happening about that is that there is a _ public. what is happening about that is that there is a huge _ public. what is happening about that is that there is a huge effort, - is that there is a huge effort, invotving _ is that there is a huge effort, involving community- is that there is a huge effort, | involving community leaders, is that there is a huge effort, - involving community leaders, faith teaders. _ involving community leaders, faith leaders. the — involving community leaders, faith leaders, the way _ involving community leaders, faith leaders, the way in _ involving community leaders, faith leaders, the way in which - involving community leaders, faith leaders, the way in which the - involving community leaders, faith leaders, the way in which the nhs| leaders, the way in which the nhs itself— leaders, the way in which the nhs itself is _ leaders, the way in which the nhs itself is administering _ leaders, the way in which the nhs itself is administering the - leaders, the way in which the nhs itself is administering the vaccinei itself is administering the vaccine programme — itself is administering the vaccine programme to _ itself is administering the vaccine programme to overcome - itself is administering the vaccine programme to overcome that. i itself is administering the vaccine. programme to overcome that. and although— programme to overcome that. and although the — programme to overcome that. and although the start _ programme to overcome that. and although the start was _ programme to overcome that. and although the start was slower - programme to overcome that. and although the start was slower in i although the start was slower in terms _ although the start was slower in terms of— although the start was slower in terms of the _ although the start was slower in terms of the uptake _ although the start was slower in terms of the uptake and - although the start was slower in terms of the uptake and some l although the start was slower ini terms of the uptake and some of those _ terms of the uptake and some of those communities, _ terms of the uptake and some of those communities, i— terms of the uptake and some of those communities, ithink- terms of the uptake and some of those communities, i think we i terms of the uptake and some of. those communities, i think we are now seeing — those communities, i think we are now seeing meaningful— those communities, i think we are now seeing meaningful progress. i those communities, i think we are i now seeing meaningful progress. for example. _ now seeing meaningful progress. for example. in— now seeing meaningful progress. for example, in hackney— now seeing meaningful progress. for example, in hackney this _ now seeing meaningful progress. for example, in hackney this past- example, in hackney this past weekend, _ example, in hackney this past weekend, we _ example, in hackney this past weekend, we were _ example, in hackney this pastj weekend, we were vaccinating example, in hackney this past. weekend, we were vaccinating at example, in hackney this past- weekend, we were vaccinating at a mosque. _ weekend, we were vaccinating at a mosque. and — weekend, we were vaccinating at a mosque. and also— weekend, we were vaccinating at a mosque, and also at _ weekend, we were vaccinating at a mosque, and also at an _ weekend, we were vaccinating at a mosque, and also at an orthodox. mosque, and also at an orthodox jewish— mosque, and also at an orthodox jewish site. — mosque, and also at an orthodox jewish site, after— mosque, and also at an orthodox jewish site, after shabbat - mosque, and also at an orthodox jewish site, after shabbat had i jewish site, after shabbat had finished. _ jewish site, after shabbat had finished, vaccinating - jewish site, after shabbat had finished, vaccinating until- finished, vaccinating until midnight _ finished, vaccinating until midnight i— finished, vaccinating until midnight. iwas— finished, vaccinating until midnight. i was with i finished, vaccinating until midnight. i was with onei finished, vaccinating until. midnight. i was with one of finished, vaccinating until- midnight. i was with one of the finished, vaccinating until— midnight. i was with one of the lead imams _ midnight. i was with one of the lead imams this— midnight. i was with one of the lead imams this morning _ midnight. i was with one of the lead imams this morning in _ midnight. i was with one of the lead imams this morning in oxford, i midnight. i was with one of the lead imams this morning in oxford, who| imams this morning in oxford, who had arranged — imams this morning in oxford, who had arranged for— imams this morning in oxford, who had arranged for a _ imams this morning in oxford, who had arranged for a zoom _ imams this morning in oxford, who had arranged for a zoom with - imams this morning in oxford, who had arranged for a zoom with one i imams this morning in oxford, whol had arranged for a zoom with one of the top _ had arranged for a zoom with one of the top sheikhs _ had arranged for a zoom with one of the top sheikhs in _ had arranged for a zoom with one of the top sheikhs in the _ had arranged for a zoom with one of the top sheikhs in the world, - had arranged for a zoom with one of the top sheikhs in the world, to i the top sheikhs in the world, to explain — the top sheikhs in the world, to explain why— the top sheikhs in the world, to explain why vaccines _ the top sheikhs in the world, to explain why vaccines are - the top sheikhs in the world, to explain why vaccines are safe i the top sheikhs in the world, to i explain why vaccines are safe and why they — explain why vaccines are safe and why they work _ explain why vaccines are safe and why they work i— explain why vaccines are safe and why they work. i think _ explain why vaccines are safe and why they work. i think this - explain why vaccines are safe and why they work. i think this will. why they work. i think this will build _ why they work. i think this will build momentum. _ why they work. i think this will build momentum. let's- why they work. i think this will build momentum. let's face i why they work. i think this will| build momentum. let's face it, why they work. i think this will- build momentum. let's face it, part of what _ build momentum. let's face it, part of what we — build momentum. let's face it, part of what we are _ build momentum. let's face it, part of what we are up— build momentum. let's face it, part of what we are up against _ build momentum. let's face it, part of what we are up against is - build momentum. let's face it, part of what we are up against is a - build momentum. let's face it, part of what we are up against is a dual. of what we are up against is a dual epidemic — of what we are up against is a dual epidemic we _ of what we are up against is a dual epidemic. we are _ of what we are up against is a dual epidemic. we are up _ of what we are up against is a dual epidemic. we are up against - of what we are up against is a dual epidemic. we are up against the l epidemic. we are up against the pandemic— epidemic. we are up against the pandemic of— epidemic. we are up against the pandemic of covid, _ epidemic. we are up against the pandemic of covid, and - epidemic. we are up against the pandemic of covid, and the i epidemic. we are up against the i pandemic of covid, and the pandemic of misinformation, _ pandemic of covid, and the pandemic of misinformation, and _ pandemic of covid, and the pandemic of misinformation, and the _ pandemic of covid, and the pandemic of misinformation, and the sowing i pandemic of covid, and the pandemic of misinformation, and the sowing of| of misinformation, and the sowing of distrust~ _ of misinformation, and the sowing of distrust~ and — of misinformation, and the sowing of distrust. and we _ of misinformation, and the sowing of distrust. and we have _ of misinformation, and the sowing of distrust. and we have to _ of misinformation, and the sowing of distrust. and we have to fight - of misinformation, and the sowing of distrust. and we have to fight both . distrust. and we have to fight both with equal— distrust. and we have to fight both with equal vigour. _ distrust. and we have to fight both with equal vigour. on _ distrust. and we have to fight both with equal vigour. on your- distrust. and we have to fight both with equal vigour. on your other. with equal vigour. on your other point, _ with equal vigour. on your other point, we — with equal vigour. on your other point. we post— with equal vigour. on your other point, we post the _ with equal vigour. on your other point, we post the uptake - with equal vigour. on your other point, we post the uptake by- with equal vigour. on your other. point, we post the uptake by ethnic groups. _ point, we post the uptake by ethnic groups. and — point, we post the uptake by ethnic groups. and we— point, we post the uptake by ethnic groups, and we share _ point, we post the uptake by ethnic groups, and we share with- point, we post the uptake by ethnic groups, and we share with local- groups, and we share with local directors— groups, and we share with local directors of— groups, and we share with local directors of public— groups, and we share with local directors of public health - groups, and we share with local directors of public health the i directors of public health the uptake — directors of public health the uptake in— directors of public health the uptake in a _ directors of public health the uptake in a granular- directors of public health the uptake in a granular way, i directors of public health the i uptake in a granular way, while protecting _ uptake in a granular way, while protecting medical— uptake in a granular way, while protecting medical confident i protecting medical confident getatin~ _ protecting medical confident getatin~ we _ protecting medical confident gelatin. we will— protecting medical confident gelatin. we will continue i protecting medical confident - gelatin. we will continue publishing more _ gelatin. we will continue publishing more data _ gelatin. we will continue publishing more data when _ gelatin. we will continue publishing more data when and _ gelatin. we will continue publishing more data when and as _ gelatin. we will continue publishing more data when and as we - gelatin. we will continue publishing more data when and as we have i gelatin. we will continue publishing more data when and as we have it, | more data when and as we have it, while _ more data when and as we have it, while protecting _ more data when and as we have it, while protecting individuals- more data when and as we have it, while protecting individuals and - while protecting individuals and families' — while protecting individuals and families' confidentiality. - while protecting individuals and families' confidentiality. this i while protecting individuals and families' confidentiality.- families' confidentiality. this is absolutely _ families' confidentiality. this is absolutely essential. _ families' confidentiality. this is absolutely essential. to - families' confidentiality. this is absolutely essential. to repeati absolutely essential. to repeat something that simon said, many people may not take it up immediately, but will take it subsequently. it is not a matter of refusal, it is thinking about it and moving on to do so. all of us think this is critical to support people, to make sure we combat misinformation. the next meeting i have this evening after this one is with leaders of the medical profession from lots of different ethnic groups, to share experiences and how we can work out how to make sure that people are getting absolutely accurate information that makes clear that the risks of the vaccine are massively lower than the risk of getting this infection. and the vaccine will protect from this infection and, in the long run, that is the way that we actually need to combat this disease, by the much safer route of vaccination, rather than the very significant risk that go with this infection for many people. go with this infection for many ..eole. �* ., , go with this infection for many -eole.-_,, ., go with this infection for many -eole.-,. ., , go with this infection for many people. jasmine, on your very good cuestion people. jasmine, on your very good question about _ people. jasmine, on your very good question about vaccine _ people. jasmine, on your very good question about vaccine passports, l question about vaccine passports, which _ question about vaccine passports, which a _ question about vaccine passports, which a lot— question about vaccine passports, which a lot of people are talking about _ which a lot of people are talking about around the world and in this country. _ about around the world and in this country, some countries are clearly going _ country, some countries are clearly going to _ country, some countries are clearly going to be — country, some countries are clearly going to be wanting to insist that people _ going to be wanting to insist that people coming to their country have evidence _ people coming to their country have evidence of— people coming to their country have evidence of a vaccination, just as people _ evidence of a vaccination, just as people insisted in the past that you have evidence that you are vaccinated against yellow fever, or other— vaccinated against yellow fever, or other diseases. i think for the purposes— other diseases. i think for the purposes of this country, and doing things— purposes of this country, and doing things within the domestic uk economy, i think we will look at everything. but what we are thinking about— everything. but what we are thinking about the _ everything. but what we are thinking about the moment is more of a route that relies— about the moment is more of a route that relies upon mass vaccination. as you _ that relies upon mass vaccination. as you know, we intend to vaccinate all of _ as you know, we intend to vaccinate all of the _ as you know, we intend to vaccinate all of the adults in the country by the autumn. plus a lateral flow testing. — the autumn. plus a lateral flow testing. or— the autumn. plus a lateral flow testing, or rapid testing, for those bits where, — testing, or rapid testing, for those bits where, you know, they are the toughest _ bits where, you know, they are the toughest nut to crack, as it were, such— toughest nut to crack, as it were, such as _ toughest nut to crack, as it were, such as night clubs, theatres, there is part— such as night clubs, theatres, there is part of— such as night clubs, theatres, there is part of the economy we couldn't .et is part of the economy we couldn't get open _ is part of the economy we couldn't get open last year. i think that will be — get open last year. i think that will be the root that we go down, and that— will be the root that we go down, and that businesses will go down. and you _ and that businesses will go down. and you are already seeing lots of businesses using the potential of rapid _ businesses using the potential of rapid on— businesses using the potential of rapid on the day testing as well. i think— rapid on the day testing as well. i think that, — rapid on the day testing as well. i think that, in combination with vaccination, will be the route forward _ vaccination, will be the route forward i_ vaccination, will be the route forward. i want to stress it is still— forward. i want to stress it is still early— forward. i want to stress it is still early days and there are lots of discussions still to be had. can we go _ of discussions still to be had. can we go to— of discussions still to be had. can we go to dominic yeatman, of metro? thank— we go to dominic yeatman, of metro? thank you. _ we go to dominic yeatman, of metro? thank you, prime minister. those in hotel— thank you, prime minister. those in hotel quarantine _ thank you, prime minister. those in hotel quarantine will— thank you, prime minister. those in hotel quarantine will be _ thank you, prime minister. those in hotel quarantine will be tested - thank you, prime minister. those in hotel quarantine will be tested on i hotel quarantine will be tested on days two — hotel quarantine will be tested on days two and _ hotel quarantine will be tested on days two and eight _ hotel quarantine will be tested on days two and eight of— hotel quarantine will be tested on days two and eight of their - hotel quarantine will be tested on days two and eight of their state, | days two and eight of their state, and they— days two and eight of their state, and they will— days two and eight of their state, and they will have _ days two and eight of their state, and they will have to _ days two and eight of their state, and they will have to remain - days two and eight of their state, and they will have to remain for i and they will have to remain for another— and they will have to remain for another ten _ and they will have to remain for another ten days— and they will have to remain for another ten days if— and they will have to remain for another ten days if they - and they will have to remain for another ten days if they test - another ten days if they test positive _ another ten days if they test positive. will— another ten days if they test positive. will they _ another ten days if they test positive. will they be - another ten days if they test i positive. will they be charged another ten days if they test - positive. will they be charged extra on top _ positive. will they be charged extra on top of— positive. will they be charged extra on top of the — positive. will they be charged extra on top of the £1750 _ positive. will they be charged extra on top of the £1750 if— positive. will they be charged extra on top of the £1750 if there - positive. will they be charged extra on top of the £1750 if there release | on top of the £1750 if there release is delayed? — on top of the £1750 if there release is delayed? what _ on top of the £1750 if there release is delayed? what if— on top of the £1750 if there release is delayed? what if they _ on top of the £1750 if there release is delayed? what if they can't - on top of the £1750 if there release is delayed? what if they can't pay? and what— is delayed? what if they can't pay? and what mental— is delayed? what if they can't pay? and what mental health _ is delayed? what if they can't pay? and what mental health provision i is delayed? what if they can't pay? i and what mental health provision has been provided — and what mental health provision has been provided for— and what mental health provision has been provided for people _ and what mental health provision has been provided for people stuck - and what mental health provision has been provided for people stuck alone| been provided for people stuck alone in a roonr _ been provided for people stuck alone in a roonr for— been provided for people stuck alone in a roonr for so— been provided for people stuck alone in a room for so long? _ been provided for people stuck alone in a room for so long? and _ been provided for people stuck alone in a room for so long? and a - been provided for people stuck alone in a room for so long? and a quick. in a room for so long? and a quick one for— in a room for so long? and a quick one for sir— in a room for so long? and a quick one for sir simon, _ in a room for so long? and a quick one for sir simon, if— in a room for so long? and a quick one for sir simon, if i— in a room for so long? and a quick one for sir simon, if i may, - in a room for so long? and a quick one for sir simon, if i may, the i in a room for so long? and a quickj one for sir simon, if i may, the uk has been _ one for sir simon, if i may, the uk has been vaccinating _ one for sir simon, if i may, the uk has been vaccinating an _ one for sir simon, if i may, the uk has been vaccinating an average i one for sir simon, if i may, the uk has been vaccinating an average of 435.000 _ has been vaccinating an average of 435.000 people _ has been vaccinating an average of 435,000 people a _ has been vaccinating an average of 435,000 people a day— has been vaccinating an average of 435,000 people a day since - has been vaccinating an average of 435,000 people a day since earlyi 435,000 people a day since early january. — 435,000 people a day since early january. at— 435,000 people a day since early january. at the _ 435,000 people a day since early january. at the current _ 435,000 people a day since early january. at the current rate, - 435,000 people a day since early january. at the current rate, we l january. at the current rate, we could — january. at the current rate, we could vaccinate _ january. at the current rate, we could vaccinate everyone - january. at the current rate, we could vaccinate everyone over. january. at the current rate, we. could vaccinate everyone over 50 january. at the current rate, we - could vaccinate everyone over 50 by the end _ could vaccinate everyone over 50 by the end of— could vaccinate everyone over 50 by the end of march, _ could vaccinate everyone over 50 by the end of march, and _ could vaccinate everyone over 50 by the end of march, and still- could vaccinate everyone over 50 by the end of march, and still stay- could vaccinate everyone over 50 by the end of march, and still stay on. the end of march, and still stay on track— the end of march, and still stay on track with— the end of march, and still stay on track with second _ the end of march, and still stay on track with second doses. - the end of march, and still stay on track with second doses. but - the end of march, and still stay on track with second doses. but the i track with second doses. but the target _ track with second doses. but the target date — track with second doses. but the target date is _ track with second doses. but the target date is the _ track with second doses. but the target date is the end _ track with second doses. but the target date is the end of- track with second doses. but the target date is the end of april. . track with second doses. but the . target date is the end of april. why is this? _ target date is the end of april. why is this? do— target date is the end of april. why is this? do you _ target date is the end of april. why is this? do you expect _ target date is the end of april. why is this? do you expect a _ target date is the end of april. why is this? do you expect a slowdowni target date is the end of april. why. is this? do you expect a slowdown in the roll-out? — is this? do you expect a slowdown in the roll-out? l— is this? do you expect a slowdown in the roll-out?— the roll-out? i will leave that one to ou. i the roll-out? i will leave that one to you- lwill— the roll-out? i will leave that one to you. i will quickly _ the roll-out? i will leave that one to you. i will quickly do _ the roll-out? i will leave that one to you. i will quickly do the - the roll-out? i will leave that one to you. i will quickly do the point| to you. i will quickly do the point about people and hotels, dominic. you are worried about people who may be asked to stay for longer because they test positive. i think obviously you've got to bear in mind that it obviously you've got to bear in mind thatitis obviously you've got to bear in mind that it is currently illegal to travel abroad for holidays anyway. we would expect people who are coming in from one of these red list countries to be able to cover their costs. as for mental health care provision, you know, that is very important. we will make sure that everybody has access to the treatment and to the support that they need. i would say two things, dominic. as you pointed — i would say two things, dominic. as you pointed out, as well as opening up you pointed out, as well as opening up the _ you pointed out, as well as opening up the invitations to more than 14 million _ up the invitations to more than 14 million new— up the invitations to more than 14 million new people in england, in the groups that we are now talking about, _ the groups that we are now talking about, we — the groups that we are now talking about, we also have the second doses to administer for those that have had their— to administer for those that have had their first dose. and when we look at _ had their first dose. and when we look at the — had their first dose. and when we look at the likely vaccine supply that we — look at the likely vaccine supply that we will have available to us between — that we will have available to us between now and the end of april, that appears to be what we can do. if that appears to be what we can do. if supply— that appears to be what we can do. if supply increases, then we think we can— if supply increases, then we think we can go— if supply increases, then we think we can go faster. but at the moment, that represents still a doubling of the number of vaccines delivered in the number of vaccines delivered in the next _ the number of vaccines delivered in the next ten or 11 weeks, compared to those _ the next ten or 11 weeks, compared to those that were delivered over the last— to those that were delivered over the last ten weeks. so, it is a pretty— the last ten weeks. so, it is a pretty substantial ramp up in the second _ pretty substantial ramp up in the second sprint we are about to embark on. �* , . second sprint we are about to embark on, �* , ., ., second sprint we are about to embark on. �* , ., ., second sprint we are about to embark on-— thanks i on. alistair, from reuters? thanks. firstl , to on. alistair, from reuters? thanks. firstly. to the _ on. alistair, from reuters? thanks. firstly, to the chief _ on. alistair, from reuters? thanks. firstly, to the chief medical - firstly, to the chief medical officer _ firstly, to the chief medical officer as _ firstly, to the chief medical officer. as we _ firstly, to the chief medical officer. as we have - firstly, to the chief medical officer. as we have been. firstly, to the chief medical - officer. as we have been hearing, data in— officer. as we have been hearing, data in the — officer. as we have been hearing, data in the real— officer. as we have been hearing, data in the real world _ officer. as we have been hearing, data in the real world impact- officer. as we have been hearing, data in the real world impact on. data in the real world impact on reducing — data in the real world impact on reducing gas _ data in the real world impact on reducing gas and _ data in the real world impact on reducing gas and transmission i data in the real world impact on- reducing gas and transmission from vaccines— reducing gas and transmission from vaccines will— reducing gas and transmission from vaccines will be _ reducing gas and transmission from vaccines will be key— reducing gas and transmission from vaccines will be key in _ reducing gas and transmission from vaccines will be key in drawing - reducing gas and transmission from vaccines will be key in drawing up . vaccines will be key in drawing up the road — vaccines will be key in drawing up the road nrap— vaccines will be key in drawing up the road map from _ vaccines will be key in drawing up the road map from lockdown. - vaccines will be key in drawing upj the road map from lockdown. can vaccines will be key in drawing up - the road map from lockdown. can you io the road map from lockdown. can you go into— the road map from lockdown. can you go into the _ the road map from lockdown. can you go into the specifics _ the road map from lockdown. can you go into the specifics of _ the road map from lockdown. can you go into the specifics of how— the road map from lockdown. can you go into the specifics of how you - go into the specifics of how you work _ go into the specifics of how you work out — go into the specifics of how you work out if _ go into the specifics of how you work out if it _ go into the specifics of how you work out if it is _ go into the specifics of how you work out if it is vaccines - go into the specifics of how you i work out if it is vaccines bringing down _ work out if it is vaccines bringing down these _ work out if it is vaccines bringing down these numbers _ work out if it is vaccines bringing down these numbers and - work out if it is vaccines bringing i down these numbers and reducing transnrission. _ down these numbers and reducing transnrission. or— down these numbers and reducing transmission, or if— down these numbers and reducing transmission, or if it _ down these numbers and reducing transmission, or if it is _ down these numbers and reducing transmission, or if it is only- transmission, or if it is only falling _ transmission, or if it is only falling because _ transmission, or if it is only falling because of— transmission, or if it is only falling because of everyonej transmission, or if it is only- falling because of everyone being under— falling because of everyone being under national— falling because of everyone being under national lockdown? - falling because of everyone being under national lockdown? to - falling because of everyone being under national lockdown? to the | under national lockdown? to the prime _ under national lockdown? to the prime minister, _ under national lockdown? to the prime minister, on _ under national lockdown? to the prime minister, on the _ under national lockdown? to the prime minister, on the world - under national lockdown? to the - prime minister, on the world health organization— prime minister, on the world health organization investigation— prime minister, on the world health organization investigation into - organization investigation into china, — organization investigation into china, on— organization investigation into china, on the— organization investigation into china, on the origins - organization investigation into china, on the origins of- organization investigation into china, on the origins of the . china, on the origins of the pandemic, _ china, on the origins of the pandemic. you _ china, on the origins of the pandemic, you said - china, on the origins of the pandemic, you said that. china, on the origins of the| pandemic, you said that you china, on the origins of the - pandemic, you said that you support joe pandemic, you said that you support joe biden— pandemic, you said that you support joe biden on— pandemic, you said that you support joe biden on the _ pandemic, you said that you support joe biden on the need _ pandemic, you said that you support joe biden on the need for— joe biden on the need for transparency. _ joe biden on the need for transparency. how- joe biden on the need for transparency. how do - joe biden on the need for| transparency. how do you joe biden on the need for- transparency. how do you hold responsible _ transparency. how do you hold responsible for— transparency. how do you hold responsible for the _ transparency. how do you hold responsible for the lack- transparency. how do you hold responsible for the lack of- responsible for the lack of transparency— responsible for the lack of transparency so _ responsible for the lack of transparency so far, - responsible for the lack of transparency so far, and l responsible for the lack of- transparency so far, and what actions — transparency so far, and what actions are _ transparency so far, and what actions are you _ transparency so far, and what actions are you planning - transparency so far, and what actions are you planning to i transparency so far, and what - actions are you planning to take? chris. _ actions are you planning to take? chris. do— actions are you planning to take? chris. do you _ actions are you planning to take? chris, do you want _ actions are you planning to take? chris, do you want to _ actions are you planning to take? chris, do you want to do - actions are you planning to take? chris, do you want to do that - chris, do you want to do that question?— chris, do you want to do that cuestion? , . , ., question? there is an extremely long answer, question? there is an extremely long answer. but — question? there is an extremely long answer. but the _ question? there is an extremely long answer, but the short _ question? there is an extremely long answer, but the short answer- question? there is an extremely long answer, but the short answer is - question? there is an extremely long answer, but the short answer is that l answer, but the short answer is that initially— answer, but the short answer is that initially studies are being done on something called case—control studies~ — something called case—control studies. what we hope to see and time _ studies. what we hope to see and time is _ studies. what we hope to see and time is that we will see in order the rates — time is that we will see in order the rates going down of severe disease — the rates going down of severe disease and mortality, exactly following the order in which people were vaccinated. and i think what we really— were vaccinated. and i think what we really want _ were vaccinated. and i think what we really want to get to as the point where _ really want to get to as the point where we — really want to get to as the point where we can see, in a sense, with the naked — where we can see, in a sense, with the naked eye, the big effect of the vaccines, _ the naked eye, the big effect of the vaccines, ratherthan the naked eye, the big effect of the vaccines, rather than having to do quite _ vaccines, rather than having to do quite complex calculations of the vaccinated against the unvaccinated, which _ vaccinated against the unvaccinated, which is _ vaccinated against the unvaccinated, which is where we are at the moment. that is— which is where we are at the moment. that is very— which is where we are at the moment. that is very much the direction of travel _ that is very much the direction of travel if— that is very much the direction of travel. if you look at the data from israel. _ travel. if you look at the data from israel. you — travel. if you look at the data from israel, you can see the effect in the uk — israel, you can see the effect in the uk we — israel, you can see the effect in the uk we can calculate the effect, that it _ the uk we can calculate the effect, that it is _ the uk we can calculate the effect, that it is much better when you can see it. _ that it is much better when you can see it. when — that it is much better when you can see it, when it is big enough to see _ see it, when it is big enough to see. ~ . . see it, when it is big enough to see, ~ ., ., , see it, when it is big enough to see. . . . , ., see. what we are seeing in some of the early data _ see. what we are seeing in some of the early data from _ see. what we are seeing in some of the early data from the _ see. what we are seeing in some of the early data from the nhs - see. what we are seeing in some of the early data from the nhs is - see. what we are seeing in some of the early data from the nhs is whatj the early data from the nhs is what looks— the early data from the nhs is what looks like _ the early data from the nhs is what looks like a — the early data from the nhs is what looks like a signal, _ the early data from the nhs is what looks like a signal, in— the early data from the nhs is what looks like a signal, in terms- the early data from the nhs is what looks like a signal, in terms of- the early data from the nhs is what looks like a signal, in terms of the. looks like a signal, in terms of the impact _ looks like a signal, in terms of the impact on — looks like a signal, in terms of the impact on vaccination. _ looks like a signal, in terms of the impact on vaccination. but - looks like a signal, in terms of the impact on vaccination. but we - looks like a signal, in terms of the i impact on vaccination. but we really want to— impact on vaccination. but we really want to let — impact on vaccination. but we really want to let the _ impact on vaccination. but we really want to let the clock— impact on vaccination. but we really want to let the clock run _ impact on vaccination. but we really want to let the clock run for- want to let the clock run for another _ want to let the clock run for another week— want to let the clock run for another week or— want to let the clock run for another week or fortnight . want to let the clock run for| another week or fortnight to want to let the clock run for- another week or fortnight to be able to properly— another week or fortnight to be able to properly validate _ another week or fortnight to be able to properly validate that. _ another week or fortnight to be able to properly validate that. the - to properly validate that. the im act to properly validate that. the impact on — to properly validate that. tip; impact on transmission to properly validate that. impact on transmission will to properly validate that.- impact on transmission will take longer— impact on transmission will take longer to— impact on transmission will take longer to determine an impact on mortality— longer to determine an impact on mortality and severe disease. 30, mortality and severe disease. so, alistair, mortality and severe disease. so, alistair. on _ mortality and severe disease. so, alistair, on your— mortality and severe disease. in, alistair, on your question about what happened, and who to hold accountable for transparency, i think it is fairly obvious at the moment that most of the evidence seems to point to the disease having originated in wuhan. that seems to be where the consensus is at the moment. therefore, ithink be where the consensus is at the moment. therefore, i think we all need to see, as much as we possibly can, about how that might have happened. and the world asks what we are going to do about it, i think the world, what they need to see, is a general agreement on how we track data surrounding zoonotic pandemics. we want zoonotic research hubs around the world and a general agreement on transparency. and one of the attractive ideas we have seen in the last five months has been a proposal for a in the last five months has been a proposalfor a global in the last five months has been a proposal for a global treaty on pandemics, so that signatory countries make sure that they contribute all the data they have, and we are able to get the bottom of what has happened and stop it happening again. that is the sensible thing to do. ok, everybody. thank you very much indeed. thank you. thank you very much indeed. thank ou. ., . ., . , thank you very much indeed. thank ou. . , . , you. that concludes the latest coronavirus _ you. that concludes the latest coronavirus briefing _ you. that concludes the latest coronavirus briefing from - you. that concludes the latest - coronavirus briefing from number 10 downing street. let's look at some of the main points that came out of the briefing. the prime minister said that we don't have all the facts we need, but that he does want this to be the last lockdown. although he was asked whether he could guarantee that this would be the last lockdown, this third lockdown. he said, actually, he could not give that guarantee. so, no guarantee that guarantee. so, no guarantee that this is the last lockdown. the chief medical officer for england, professor chris whitty, warned that the level of infection is still high, with hospitalisation rates similar to those in april, at the height of the first peak. and the chief executive of nhs england, so simon stevens, outlined plans for the next stage of the vaccination programme. he urged over 65 to go to larger centres and pharmacies, so that gps can focus on those with underlying health conditions. professor whitty also said there was reasonable evidence that a booster jab will be needed in the autumn. so, let's go to our health correspondent nick triggle. we know that the government will set out the road map out of lockdown next monday. they have said again and again that they are studying the data, particularly how the impact of the vaccine has been, and we know it has been successful. we have data from places like israel, where it shows it has been hugely successful, 94% effectiveness against the disease. what sort of data are they waiting for here that you think they don't have at the moment? that they will hopefully get over the next week? . . will hopefully get over the next week? , . . . ., will hopefully get over the next week? , , ., week? there is a crucial study that is bein: week? there is a crucial study that is being done _ week? there is a crucial study that is being done for— week? there is a crucial study that is being done for public _ week? there is a crucial study that is being done for public health - is being done for public health england. that has been tracking the people who have been vaccinated, to see what happens in terms of infections, in terms of hospitalisations and deaths. we understand the early data suggests it is having an impact on the infractions. i think it is down by two thirds in those groups that have had the first dose of the vaccine. what they are gathering now, behind—the—scenes this week, is the data on hospitalisations and deaths. and that, if it goes in the right way, will give them the confidence next monday to set out that road map that the prime minister was talking about. we have had good results, like you say, from israel, showing the vaccines are very effective. but today, we are where israel were in the middle ofjanuary. that today, we are where israel were in the middle of january. that is why israel have got the data and have got the strong evidence. we are still gathering it. buti got the strong evidence. we are still gathering it. but i would say there is beginning to be hints, even in the published data that comes every day, that vaccines are having an impact, certainly on hospitalisations, the numbers of older people being admitted into hospital is falling at a faster rate than younger people. so that is the lockdown effect, plus maybe a bit of the vaccine effect. fline lockdown effect, plus maybe a bit of the vaccine effect.— the vaccine effect. one striking line from boris _ the vaccine effect. one striking line from boris johnson - the vaccine effect. one striking line from boris johnson was - the vaccine effect. one striking. line from boris johnson was that line from borisjohnson was that science, he said, is now in the ascendancy over the virus. in other words, we are beating it scientifically, both through the vaccine, but also the various treatments that are now available for those patients in hospital that have covid?— have covid? yes, it is easy to foruet have covid? yes, it is easy to forget that — have covid? yes, it is easy to forget that this _ have covid? yes, it is easy to forget that this vaccine - have covid? yes, it is easy to forget that this vaccine only i forget that this vaccine only emerged a year ago. already in the uk, we have three vaccine approved, two of which are being used. we have another two vaccines that are are being assessed by the regulator and could be used later. we had encouraging results from israel. even with the variants, there is quite a degree of confidence that while the mutations may enable the virus to escape some of the immune effect of the vaccine, that the vaccines will still have some impact. and if we need to, those vaccines can be updated relatively easily, more easy than it is, say, to update the flu vaccines every year. so there is huge confidence about the vaccines. we had good levels of uptake in the uk. but not everyone will come forward for the jab. not everyone will find the jab works for them. so, there are also advancesin works for them. so, there are also advances in treatments. several months ago, dexamethasone, a cheap steroid, was found to improve the outcomes of those seriously ill in hospital. last week there was a breakthrough with an arteritis drug that boosted the effect of dexamethasone for those seriously ill. . , ~ , ill. that is when the prime minister could pronounce? _ ill. that is when the prime minister could pronounce? i _ ill. that is when the prime minister could pronounce? i didn't- ill. that is when the prime minister could pronounce? i didn't try - ill. that is when the prime minister could pronounce? i didn't try to - could pronounce? i didn't try to pronounce _ could pronounce? i didn't try to pronounce it! _ could pronounce? i didn't try to pronounce it! i— could pronounce? i didn't try to pronounce it! i noticed - could pronounce? i didn't try to pronounce it! i noticed you - could pronounce? i didn't try to - pronounce it! i noticed you skipped over that. progress _ pronounce it! i noticed you skipped over that. progress is _ pronounce it! i noticed you skipped over that. progress is being - pronounce it! i noticed you skipped over that. progress is being madel over that. progress is being made week by week- — over that. progress is being made week by week. that _ over that. progress is being made week by week. that is _ over that. progress is being made week by week. that is why - over that. progress is being made week by week. that is why there l over that. progress is being made| week by week. that is why there is such optimism and why we saw the prime minister say he is increasingly confident that this should be the last lockdown. but he can't guarantee it. 0k, ok, go away and practice that arthritis drug! we will see you tomorrow. let's speak to our political correspondent helen catt. helen, it struck me that although the primers kept saying he wanted this very much to be the last lockdown, if he was asked if he could give a guarantee about that, he said he couldn't.— could give a guarantee about that, he said he couldn't. there was quite an interesting _ he said he couldn't. there was quite an interesting tone _ he said he couldn't. there was quite an interesting tone to _ he said he couldn't. there was quite an interesting tone to this _ he said he couldn't. there was quite an interesting tone to this whole - an interesting tone to this whole briefing. this is a big day for the government. they got the first dose to 15 million people which is an achievement. borisjohnson was keen to mark that at the top of this briefing describing it as an unprecedented national achievement. adding that the new goal was to vaccinate all the other 505, give them the first dose by the end of april, along those with serious health conditions, like heart conditions or diabetes or serious learning difficulties. so there was that sense of achievement but it is also clear that lockdown will stay in place for at least a few weeks at least so they were trying to temper that. this lockdown was different we are always told. the vaccine programme and the vaccine roll—out provided an eventual way out, a light at the end of the tunnel. borisjohnson had to spend a lot of this briefing explaining why you can't tell us more about that yet. his answer was they don't have the facts and hard data, some of the stuff nick was saying, particular in terms of how effective the vaccine is at stopping people passing the virus on to one another. boris johnson tried to balance that reality but retain a sense of optimism. he said he didn't want people to think he wasn't optimistic about theirs. i think the key line he said was that we know this will work, it is the speed at which the work, it is the speed at which the work they are looking at so part of that, too, is a message to some of his backbenchers who have been pushing for a much swifter unlocking, a group of 63 wrote to him to say they want to see all legal restrictions lifted by the end of april, which is when the over 50s should have received theirfirst dose but this was clearly a sense of we can be optimistic but cautious. those 63 mp5 from the covid recovery group, people like steve baker, mark harper, they are saying that, they want restrictions lifted because of the success of the vaccine roll—out but he afford to politically ignore them, can't he? the but he afford to politically ignore them, can't he?— but he afford to politically ignore them, can't he? the number, 63, means in — them, can't he? the number, 63, means in theory _ them, can't he? the number, 63, means in theory they _ them, can't he? the number, 63, means in theory they could - them, can't he? the number, 63, j means in theory they could defeat the government in a parliamentary vote if it came to it. there are influential voices within that group. downing street will listen to them, i'd think. but it isn't necessarily where the bulk of conservative mps are and it isn't where the opposition are. labour have said the government needs to lock in the gains of the vaccination programme. keir starmer was saying that borisjohnson shouldn't lift restrictions too quickly. so, the bulk of support seems to be for a more cautious lifting. we will have to see what the response is one borisjohnson to see what the response is one boris johnson sets to see what the response is one borisjohnson sets out to see what the response is one boris johnson sets out that to see what the response is one borisjohnson sets out that road—mac next week. if he puts it, as he hopes, some dates about the earliest possible moment when perhaps some parts of the economy could be unlocked, seeing when those are and how that goes down but for now he was saying he can't give any indication of what those are because those decisions haven't yet been taken. . , . taken. ellen, thanks very much. helen was _ taken. ellen, thanks very much. helen was mentioning _ taken. ellen, thanks very much. helen was mentioning labour. taken. ellen, thanks very much. - helen was mentioning labour position on this but let's explore that now more. well, let's get reaction to today's briefing from the shadow health secretaryjonathan ashworth. thank you for being with us. a week today we will get the road map from the prime minister. it looks like schools are back on march the 8th and possibly pubs and so on in april. would you roughly go along with that kind of timetable? yes. april. would you roughly go along with that kind of timetable? yes, we have to proceed _ with that kind of timetable? yes, we have to proceed with _ with that kind of timetable? yes, we have to proceed with caution - with that kind of timetable? yes, we| have to proceed with caution because this has to be the final lockdown and it cannot all end in one snap because although infection rates are coming down, we have had 1600 people going to hospital, be admitted to hospital. almost 10,000 people recorded as having covid. so we have to proceed with caution. vaccination is going well, and well done to all involved, critically our nhs on the ground and our gps and so on but we have to lock in the gains of vaccination by continuing to do more to break transmission chains to stop the spread. we need to give people decent sick pay. putting in filtration systems into public buildings. look at updating our mask guidance. germany and france insist on higher grade masks in shops and transport. we need to look at things like that continue to drive infections down as we release from the lockdown. in infections down as we release from the lockdown.— the lockdown. in the past you've been critical _ the lockdown. in the past you've been critical of _ the lockdown. in the past you've been critical of boris _ the lockdown. in the past you've been critical of boris johnson - the lockdown. in the past you've been critical of boris johnson for been critical of borisjohnson for not being cautious enough. what you accept now that he is being pretty cautious about easing restrictions of course he has been cautious but we have to wait until next week until he outlines the route map for leaving lockdown so we will have to study the detail. this lockdown cannot end in one bang. it has to be gradual. vaccination is going well but there are tens of millions of people who have not been vaccinated or who do not have natural antibodies so we will have to continue to roll out the vaccination programme. it is important to the gains from vaccination are locked in because what we know about this virus is it is a moving target. when there is a lot of it around, it mutates and we don't want to grow a new mutation which completely can evade the vaccine so it is important we push infections down.— we push infections down. other --eole we push infections down. other people will _ we push infections down. other people will say _ we push infections down. other people will say the _ we push infections down. other people will say the economy . we push infections down. other people will say the economy is | we push infections down. other i people will say the economy is on its knees and when you look at the data from israel which says from their vaccination programme it is 94% effective, that is data and research from 600,000 people who have had the jab, that is overwhelming evidence, isn't it? yes and i am overwhelming evidence, isn't it? is; and i am confident that overwhelming evidence, isn't it? 19:3 and i am confident that when overwhelming evidence, isn't it? 193 and i am confident that when we roll—out vaccination more widely we will be in a different situation. don't forget israel are doing to make jabs where we have delayed the second jab so the second set ofjabs have to be done for the first cohort of people who have received the vaccination. we have further to go. if you take your foot off the brakes too quickly, all that will happen is we will overwhelm infections which causes more damage to jobs, livelihoods in the future. so, the responsible thing to do to protect people's incomes and economy is gradually ease out of lockdown and ensure this is the last lockdown we ever have to go into. fsine ensure this is the last lockdown we ever have to go into.— ever have to go into. one specific oint on ever have to go into. one specific point on schools, _ ever have to go into. one specific point on schools, march - ever have to go into. one specific point on schools, march the - ever have to go into. one specific point on schools, march the 8th, | point on schools, march the 8th, some debate whether it should be all schools to go back orjust primary schools. what is your view? it is schools to go back orjust primary schools. what is your view? it is a reasonable _ schools. what is your view? it is a reasonable aspiration _ schools. what is your view? it is a reasonable aspiration to _ schools. what is your view? it is a reasonable aspiration to get - schools. what is your view? it is a l reasonable aspiration to get schools open on march the 8th. the key thing about the schools is we have to follow the data not dates. the key thing is have you put in place the mitigation measures to keep schools open? of course, schools are open for children of key workers and teachers have been working so hard but have you got the measures in place, the ventilation systems, the mask wearing guidelines, have you got a plan to roll—out vaccination for our teachers as well? these are the questions ministers have to answer. , :, . . ~ , :, the questions ministers have to answer. . . ~ , :, . ~ the questions ministers have to answer. , :, . . ~ , :, . ~ answer. jonathan ashworth, thank you ve much answer. jonathan ashworth, thank you very much for— answer. jonathan ashworth, thank you very much for your _ answer. jonathan ashworth, thank you very much for your time. _ earlier i spoke to professor neil ferguson, an epidemiologist at imperial college london who — in march — predicted that up to 500,000 britons could die from covid—19, which led to the government enforcing a nationwide lockdown. he welcomed the progress of the vaccination programme but said there were still reasons to be careful. but we have to be cautious. everybody has just had one dose and with one dose, whilst it does give a significant level of protection, it is not perfect. and will not have protection. not everybody, as we have just heard in the last interview, has been vaccinated. there is still, at the moment, we think, a potential that if we relax too quickly before we had vaccinated everybody over 50 and then frankly all adults, of transmission taking off again. i am supportive of the government position which is to say they are going to be driven by the data. first of all, what we hope to see in the next few weeks is a significant decline in the deaths of vaccinated people compared with people who haven't received vaccines, and we have some early indication of that now, so data on how effective the vaccine is. and then a targeted and staged approach to relaxation, starting with schools. we all agree schools are critically important, and then going from there. it has to be cautious and driven by the data. just looking at the data from israel, they have managed to vaccinate millions of their people, they are reporting a 94% drop in symptomatic coronavirus cases among 600,000 fully vaccinated people. that is very encouraging, isn't it? that is fantastic. that is for the pfizer vaccine, only 20% of our people receiving the vaccine are getting that. the astrazeneca vaccine, whilst effective, it's not that effective. it is not as effective as the pfizer one, so we are expecting something like a 70% or so drop in symptomatic disease. something of that order. once everybody should get it, it will offer a good degree of protection, it is not perfect. by the autumn, once we have more stocks of the vaccines, the pfizer, the moderna, with higher effectiveness, then we will be at a higher level of protection. you said previously, the government has relaxed restrictions too quickly. do you think lockdown three is going to be our last lockdown? i very much hope so and i have some confidence and belief it well. with the caveat that we don't unlock too quickly, and i think the government is rightly pushing back on the minority of mps who are demanding faster movements. i think as long as we are driven by the data and what we see in terms of trends of hospitalisation and death, and only take it step—by—step, then we should be in a much better place, even by me. in a much better place, even by may. we won't necessarily have everything removed, but we will be in an easier position with more normal social interactions and then gradually over the coming months, going towards the autumn, things will become lighter and lighter touch in terms of controls. do you think the government has learnt to be more cautious? i think so, and i certainly hope so. professor neil ferguson. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. our weather has undergone a big turnaround in the last 48 hours. last week, temperatures were well below average. that shows up as blue on this chart here. those blue colours, mainly across eastern europe. this week, we've got the warmth of above—average temperatures with us, most notably as we head towards the end of the week and into next weekend. in fact, by the time we hit saturday, some parts of eastern england could see temperatures as high as 17 degrees, compared to the subzero wind chill of last saturday. so, overall this week, it will be much, much milder than last week. there will be some rain at times, though, coupled with snow melt, flooding will be a risk and it is going to be fairly windy. fairly breezy out there at the moment, but that breeze is coming in from the south—west. you can see how the cloud is tracking from south—west to north—east. we are in between this one which will arrive with some rain tonight, and one clearing away from the east. so, with south—westerly winds, these are the temperatures through the afternoon. we will have seen 14 degrees in the south—east corner, even up to eight or nine celsius in parts of north—east scotland. many will finish the day dry, but into tonight, we will see further rain return across england and wales initially, then to northern ireland and across parts of scotland. some heavy bursts of rain in the west later in the night, and the breeze will be picking up, especially to the west of scotland. it does mean that temperatures tonight well clear of frost levels, around five to around ten celsius to start tomorrow. a windy day, though, across the western isles of scotland with outbreaks of rain at times. rain initially across central and eastern parts of england confined to east anglia, the south east and the channel islands clearing into the afternoon, and then sunshine and showers. showers in the west could be heavy and thundery. a breezy day across the board, but the strongest of the winds will remain across the far west of scotland. temperatures may be down a little bit on today's values, but still above the seven or eight degrees we normally expect at this stage in february. the mild run continues through tuesday night into wednesday. after a fine night, it looks like another weather system will push in later on to bring a bit of a wet start to wednesday across many areas, particularly across scotland. that will clear through. sunshine and showers for many, but more persistent rain looks likely to develop across the southern half of england and wales as we go into wednesday afternoon. maybe a little bit of snow on the scottish mountains, but temperatures still above where we should be for the time of year. and watch them climb further as we go through the next few days. parts of eastern england at 16 or 17 by saturday. as the vaccine roll—out now extends to the over 65's, the prime minister says caution is key. visiting a vaccine centre, borisjohnson warns against rushing out of lockdown in england. we want this lockdown to be the last, and we want progress to be cautious but also irreversible. the number of deaths from coronavirus is thankfully coming down, but there are still more people in hospital than at the peak in april. also tonight.