In england dont have a greater risk of getting covid 19 compared to other working age adults. Politicians in ghana and the ivory coast are among the first to be vaccinated under the global � Covax Programme which will bring the vaccine to the worlds poorest countries. And coming up, the 20 year old able to hold her babys hand for the first time, after being seriously ill and on a ventilator with coronavirus. A search is under way to try to find someone in the uk whos contracted a concerning variant of Coronavirus First found in brazil. Health officials fear the new strain that may spread more rapidly and may respond less well to existing vaccines although thats not confirmed. Health secretary matt hancock will lead a Downing Street briefing in half an hour and will update mps later on the new variant called the p1 variant. There are 6 confirmed cases in the uk and Health Officials are trying to trace one of the people in england infected with the variant been located because the person didnt fill in the Registration Form fully, and could be anywhere in the country. Surge testing is being carried out in the bradley stoke, patchway and little stoke areas of South Gloucestershire where two of the cases have been detected. Prime minister borisjohnson has defended the governments measures to prevent importing strains from abroad saying the uk has one of the toughest Border Regimes anywhere in the world for stopping people coming in to this country who may have variants of concern. Our first report is from our Health Correspondent, jim reed. Even in the middle of a pandemic, more than 100 flights land at heathrow every day. From the middle of february, anyone from a covid high risk area has been transferred to a special quarantine hotel. But in the weeks before that, its now emerged at least four people arrived here from brazil carrying a new variant of coronavirus. Well, this is a new virus and so we know it is going to mutate and its important that we keep an eye on new mutations. 0ur Colleagues at Public Health england are doing a greatjob ensuring that the Sequencing Capacity in the uk is very high, so we can pick up these variants when they occur, tracing people when they need to. Three cases of the variant have been detected in scotland, after passengers flew on to aberdeen. Another two positive cases were found in South Gloucestershire, after one person returned from brazil last month. The final case is a mystery. That person did Test Positive for the variant, but didnt fill in their Test Paperwork correctly. Health officials are now asking anyone who took a test on February 12th or 13th and hasnt got a result back to contact them straightaway. Part of the reason why we want to locate them quickly is to understand more about them and their movements. This appeal is a sort of belt and braces, to try and make sure we locate them as quickly as possible. This brazilian variant of Coronavirus First emerged here, In The City Of Manaus in the amazon region. Its thought to be as contagious as the main or dominant strain in the uk, but it also has a mutation which Scientists Say could make it more resistant to current vaccines. At the moment, though, we are only talking about a handful of cases in the uk. Speaking at a school in stoke today, the Prime Minister said Health Authorities have the situation under control. Weve got one of the toughest Border Regimes anywhere in the world, for stopping people coming into this country who may have variants of concern, and if you look at what we have done in the case of the South African variant, a massive effort went. In there, and the same is going on now to contain any spread of the brazilian variant. The household in gloucestershire which tested positive for the variant did self isolate. Extra Surge Testing is under way in Postcodes North of bristol, to try and find anyone else in the local area who might have picked it up, although the risk is said to be low. Under current rules, anyone who has travelled to england from brazil or another high risk region does now need to quarantine in a hotel near the airport for ten days. 0pposition mps, though, say stronger measures are now needed. Theres either the australia and new zealand approach, which has a much more comprehensive Hotel Quarantine system than we have, not the kind of 1 of people going into Hotel Quarantine that weve got, or theres the south korea approach, which has some Hotel Quarantine but also has much stronger testing when you arrive at the airport and also safe transport home. Scientists say these new variants are expected, we shouldnt be alarmed, and it should be simple to adapt vaccines in the future to deal with them, but a reminder that new versions of this virus can still disrupt our plans, as we move slowly out of this pandemic. Jim reed, bbc news. 0ur Health Correspondent nick triggle is with me now. Yet another new variant, how concerned should we be about this variant . figs concerned should we be about this variant . � , concerned should we be about this variant . � , g. , concerned should we be about this variant . �. , ,. , variant . As jim was explaining, this brazilian variant variant . As jim was explaining, this brazilian variant has variant . As jim was explaining, this brazilian variant has a variant . As jim was explaining, this brazilian variant has a variant brazilian variant has a variant which affects part of virus that vaccines target. The fear is it reduces the effectiveness of vaccines. They still work well, but as well as otherwise. That mutation has also been seen in the South African variant. Also the uk, the virus in the uk there has been more than a hundred cases where the uk virus has got this mutation. So we have got to get used to these variants cropping up. We are heary stories every week about these mutations. It is important to take them seriously. But we have got to remember we are only identifying these because we are checking, randomly checking a minority of cases. Last week we checked a quarter of the positive cases for variants. It is likely there be more cases that are not detected. The strategy is to try and monitor this and see how far it is spreading and the spread doesnt seem to be widespread from what we can see. Then to see how it is mutating. So if the vaccine does need to be updated in the future, we have got the recipe to update it. More generally. The recipe to update it. More generally, across the recipe to update it. More generally, across the the recipe to update it. More generally, across the uk, the recipe to update it. More| generally, across the uk, the the recipe to update it. More generally, across the uk, the news is quite positive in terms of Falling Number of coronavirus cases. A big fall compared to last mobbed . Monday . A big fall compared to last mobbed . Monday . A big fall compared to last mobbed . Monda . ,. ,. , monday . Yes, cases down, deaths down and hospital monday . Yes, cases down, deaths down and Hospital Admissions monday . Yes, cases down, deaths down and Hospital Admissions down. | down and Hospital Admissions down. 5,555 new diagnosis, that is down 29 in the last week. It is the lowest daily figure since september. Deaths 104 deaths confirmed. We do see lower numbers on a monday, because of delays reporting over the weekend. But that is the lowest figure since october and is now more nan a third in a week. Hospital admissions 1,100 admissions, that is four times lower than at the peak in mid january. So lockdown is having an impact, but that is certainly on Hospital Admissions and deaths the effect of the vaccines beginning to be felt. So some good news there. Thank you. 0ur Political Correspondent chris mason is in westminster. We are looking forward to the latest Government Briefing at 5 oclock, matt hancock and i suppose one of the questions might be about the governments travel policy and Hotel Quarantine, given we have the cases with the new variant, people are asking was that new policy brought in quickly enough and is it tough enough . In quickly enough and is it tough enou~h . ,. , in quickly enough and is it tough enou~h . ,. , ,. , enough . Yes, that is the focus of concern, enough . Yes, that is the focus of concern. As enough . Yes, that is the focus of concern, as far enough . Yes, that is the focus of concern, as far as enough . Yes, that is the focus of concern, as far as the enough . Yes, that is the focus of concern, as far as the opposition | concern, as far as the opposition are concerned this afternoon. Asking the question that they were asking a couple of weeks ago in the middle of february when the new travel policy kicked in, they were saying then it should have happened sooner. Theyre making that same argument again this afternoon. Why . Because the crucial window that we are looking at here and we have seen matt hancock publicly on twitter appeal for people who took a test on 12th or 13th february, in other words a couple of days before the new Travel Measures came in, if they have not had a result, to get in touch with the authorities in england or scotland, as the government tries to track down this one missing case of someone who has sent back a case, has tested positive for this new variant, but frankly no one in authority knows who on earth they are, where they are, or whether they might be circulating and spreading this variant further. That will be i suspect a line of questioning that comes up in the News Briefing in 20 minutes time. It is certainly the focus of the Opposition Parties. The Prime Minister has said he has been on a visit to a school in stoke, he think it is uks Border Measures are amongst the toughest in the world. But the question is not what they are like now, but what were they like two weeks ago, given what we are seeing is a legacy of the previous system. Had these people arrived back now, they would have beenin arrived back now, they would have been in quarantine in hotels around the airports that they have flown into, as opposed to heading back home with the potential of transmission. The Department Of Health has published the latest coronavirus figures. In the past 24 hours, a further 104 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported. The number of people who tested positive for coronavirus was 5,455. And 20,275,451 people have now received their first dose of a Coronavirus Vaccine. As weve been hearing, three scottish residents tested positive for the new brazilian strain of coronavirus after flying into aberdeen from brazil, via paris and london. Scotlands Health Secretaryjeane Freeman says much effort is being made to find cases of the strain. She added that passengers who were on a ba flight from Heathrow To Aberdeen are being traced. The three individuals concerned had travelled from brazil to scotland via paris and london. They self isolated on their arrival in scotland and when they tested positive for covid, they all stayed in isolation for a further ten days. Because they are derived from brazil, designated high risk country, their test results were selected for genomic sequencing. That is why we now have been able to confirm that they had the p1 variant. As a precautionary measure, test and protect teams are now identifying all possible contacts of these cases and the contacts of those contacts so that they can take tests. We are also contacting other passengers who were on the flight the individuals took from Heathrow To Aberdeen. That is flight ba 1312 which departed from heathrow on the afternoon of friday the 29th of january. If you were on that flight, and have not yet been contacted, you will be contacted shortly so please wait for that. I want to stress that there is currently no reason to believe that the p1 variant of the virus is in circulation in scotland. However i hope this summary reassures you that we are doing everything we can and everything that is necessary to check whether this variant of the virus could have been transmitted within scotland and to identify and break any possible chains of transmission. Dr Philippa Whitford is the snps Health Spokesperson in the house of commons. Thank you for being with us. We were hearing the Health Secretary there saying we are doing everything we can. Some people might say if you had brought in your tougher restrictions earlier, we wouldnt be in this situation . In this situation . Not really, because the in this situation . Not really, because the travel in this situation . Not really, l because the Travel Restrictions in scotland which apply to all arrivals are for people who arrive directly into scotland. The Scottish Government have both pressed the uk government have both pressed the uk government to make that the same uk wide, that people coming from any country have to go into quarantine. But thats not the decision of the uk government. If these people separated their flight and therefore simply appeared to fly from paris to london, and on to scotland, they still wouldnt be picked up. That is a real danger of having this limited red list. I mean, it has been criticised by many experts, it would be much safe tore simply have the safer to have. Be much safe tore simply have the safer to have safer to have. Boris johnson say it is uk has one safer to have. Boris johnson say it is uk has one of safer to have. Boris johnson say it is uk has one of the safer to have. Boris johnson say it is uk has one of the toughest safer to have. Boris johnson say it i is uk has one of the toughest Border Regimes in the world. Regimes in the world. Well, it doesnt. You regimes in the world. Well, it doesnt. You just regimes in the world. Well, it doesnt. You just have regimes in the world. Well, it doesnt. You just have to regimes in the world. Well, it doesnt. You just have to compare wit south korea and hong kong and others that have managed to make their borders virtually covid tight. If we were doing that for the whole uk or with the Republic Of Ireland as well, you have protected yourself from importing these variants and the importance of the brazil or the South African or we hear a possible one from california, is that they a appear to be more resistant to the vaccine. So to threaten the vaccine roll out which is running superbly by importing a virus that is actually resistant to it, i mean that would be sending us back down the snake in a Snakes And Ladders game. The snake in a Snakes And Ladders came. ,. ,. The snake in a Snakes And Ladders came. , u,. , the snake in a Snakes And Ladders came. ,. , game. How concerned are you about the cases in game. How concerned are you about the cases in scotland, game. How concerned are you about the cases in scotland, could game. How concerned are you about the cases in scotland, could that the cases in scotland, could that affect the programme of Easing Restrictions . Affect the programme of Easing Restrictions . , , restrictions . Hopefully these three have been identified restrictions . Hopefully these three have been identified and restrictions . Hopefully these three have been identified and were have been identified and were isolated and as you heard from our cabinet secretary, theyre doing quite enhanced Contact Tracing and testing of those people, including the people that they shared a plane with. I think there is a good chance it has not. But the danger is that variants could come by any route. People do not necessarily travel directly or even necessarily admit where the starting point of their journey was and the other thing is there will be variants that are emerging in countries that have genomics and we could be importing them. You can start to develop mutations yourself as we saw with the kent mutation. Yet talked about Border Policy in places like new zealand so why did scotland not to something much tougher a long time ago . We scotland not to something much tougher a long time ago . Scotland not to something much tougher a long time ago . We do not have the powers tougher a long time ago . We do not have the powers that tougher a long time ago . We do not have the powers that the tougher a long time ago . We do not have the powers that the likes tougher a long time ago . We do not have the powers that the likes of. Have the powers that the likes of australia or new zealand have to shut our borders for the border force are not under the control of the Scottish Government. What we have done in discussions this the recognition of these variants is that the policy is anyone arriving in scotland either by sea or by air it will be all of them having to go into mandatory quarantine but because most long haulflights come through heathrow or possibly manchester then we need cooperation from the uk government and the Scottish Government had asked anyone with an onward journey to scotland should go into quarantine when they arrived in the uk. Unfortunately that has been refused. But the danger applies across england you know that these variants whether they travel to scotland or the north of england, if people are going on to Public Transport and spending three orfour hours to Public Transport and spending three or four hours on a train with other people obviously you could be in a position that you have spread that variant before they get their first test here and obviously as we see from the time delay, genomics takes time so it is quite a long time before you know that youre dealing with a variant. So again you should be taking the cautious route and trying to avoid importing them in the first place particularly while the vaccine roll out is going ahead. While the vaccine rollout is going ahead. ~ while the vaccine rollout is going ahead. , ~ , while the vaccine rollout is going ahead. , i. , while the vaccine rollout is going ahead. ,. , , ahead. Thank you for being with us once again Munira Wilson is the liberal Democrats Health and social care spokesperson. What is your take on what these cases commit these six cases in england and scotland reveal about the Government Policy because what borisjohnson are saying is the uk now has one of the toughest border regime anywhere in the world, do you accept that . Ida. Regime anywhere in the world, do you acce t that . , regime anywhere in the world, do you accept that . Accept that . No, i dont and i laruel accept that . No, i dont and i largely agree accept that . No, i dont and i largely agree with accept that . No, i dont and i largely agree with what accept that . No, i dont and i. Largely agree with what philippa accept that . No, i dont and i largely agree with what philippa was saying about the lack of Public Health measures at our borders. For the best part of the year and, i might Liberal Democrat colleagues have been calling for tougher Public Health measures at the borders. Countries that took firmer action earlier were able to prevent a lot of cases and new variants coming in on the policy we have now, it was implemented a few days after these variants had already arrived in the uk but it is full of gaping holes given that people can travel in indirectly from some of those countries where we do have variants of concern but also from many countries where we dont know, there could be new variants in circulation and we risk undermining the Vaccination Programme, the light at the end of the tunnel that the British Public is hanging on to in terms of starting to resume life again as we know it. If terms of starting to resume life again as we know it. Terms of starting to resume life again as we know it. If you looked at this another again as we know it. If you looked at this another way, again as we know it. If you looked at this another way, you again as we know it. If you looked at this another way, you have again as we know it. If you looked at this another way, you have the | at this another way, you have the six people who apparently have this new brazilian variant which is a variant of concern, five of them have been identified and now there is a Surge Testing in place and there is only one person who did not fill in the form properly that they are looking for cell in a sense is that not showing that the Government Policy is quite successful . That youre just looking for one person . That is not showing the borders policy are successful but showing that they are trying to clamp down hard on it and rightly so. My first question would be having spent £22 billion on test and trace why it is that if a test has been sent out to someones home that there is no Reference Number on it that they cannot easily track back to where it came from if they have not completed the form properly. The other thing is that there are other people this person may have been in contact with and can we be sure that they will be properly traced and also that they will isolate. We know as many as 20,000 People Per Day are being asked to self isolate and are not doing so and that is why weve been calling in the Liberal Democrats for some time now of an enhanced package of financial and practical for people to stay at home. And many other practical measures in order to break these chains of transmission. That is absolutely critical, alongside Border Policy and alongside Border Policy and alongside vaccination if we are to start to come out of lockdown safely. Start to come out of lockdown safel. ~ start to come out of lockdown safel. , ~ , start to come out of lockdown safel. ,. Today the First Minister of wales has given an update on the situation there. Mark drakeford said the r number in wales remains below 1, with the latest figures indicating there are 64 cases per 100,000 people. The First Minister said every vaccination is a small victory, as he announced news that more than 100,000 people have now had their second dose of the Coronavirus Vaccine. Latest figures show more than 100,000 people have now had both doses of the vaccine here in wales. More than 3 of the population have now had both doses of the vaccine and that is a higher proportion than any other part of the united kingdom. Of course every vaccination given is a small victory against this virus and an incredible Vaccination Programme is helping provide a path for us to a better 2021. New data from the office of National Statistics suggests school staff do not have a markedly higher risk of infection than other working age adults. The number of Staff Testing Positive for covid antibodies increased by a similar percentage to their peers while schools were fully open. Experts described the findings as Very Reassuring, and suggested efforts by schools to control infections were working. The president of ghana has become the worlds first recipient of the Coronavirus Vaccine from the un backed Covax Programme, a scheme to procure and distribute inoculations for poorer countries. The un has said the world is facing � a moral catastrophe over the lack of Vaccines Available to the developing world. There are flashing images in this report from naomi grimley. This was the long awaited moment when covid vaccines touched down in the ivory coast and ghana last week. They were shipped through a programme called covax, led by the vaccines alliance, gavi, and the world health organization. It aims to get poorer countries enough supplies to cover their health care workers. Today, well see the first three vaccines administered. Already the 76 year old ghanaian president has been doing his bit to Show Confidence in them. Its important that i set the example, that this vaccine is safe. Its nearly three months since the first pensioner in the uk got vaccinated. The uk pre ordered much more vaccine than it needs, and although ministers have indicated they will ultimately share some doses with the developing world, this strategy from multiple rich countries has added to the pressure on supplies. That, in turn, has made the job of covax harder. South africa participated in the global vaccine trials, but the country got so frustrated with the slow pace of covax, it did its own vaccine side deals. As a middle income country, it feels like perhaps we shouldnt have completely relied on covax, we should have got those Bilateral Agreements going, but i think as a middle income country, we often fall between a rock and a hard place. Ministers in ivory coast are now getting their first doses of the 0xford Astrazeneca vaccine. Global Health Experts warn that it will be in all of our interests to vaccinate across the world, if we really want to shorten the length of this pandemic. Naomi grimley, bbc news. Responding to the launch of the Covax Programme, the foreign secretary dominic raab said that it was right for britain, as a key supporter of the intiative, to be a Force For Good In The World. We have been a founder member, a leading member of covax. We have secured a billion doses. And what we are seeing today is the rollout, The First Mass Roll out at cote divoire. Half a million doses. Part of our scheme, our strategy to get the most Vulnerable People in 92 of the developing countries vaccinated byjune. And thats because we believe britain should be a Force For Good In The World but also because we recognise that we are not safe until everyone is safe. Seven weeks ago new mum ellie wright was rushed into hospital overwhelmed by covid 19. She was heavily pregnant and needed an Emergency Caeserean before doctors could begin trying to save her life. At one point, 20 year old ellies parents were told she could no longer breathe for herself and they feared for her life. Now, the family have paid tribute to medics and ellies Fighting Spirit because at last shes been able to hold baby leos hand for the first time. Rob mayor has been speaking to her family. I said to ellie, listen to me, you have to fight, you have a baby boy to come home to and im not willing to bury one of my children, i cant do that. You are too young. A mothers words to her daughter, who lay seriously ill on a ventilator with covid 19. A week earlier ellie had given birth to her baby leo ten weeks early. He was born by Emergency Cesarean so she could have life saving treatment. At one point doctors told her parents she might not survive. The doctor said ellie had taken a nosedive, not breathing for herself at all, not responding to anything, you need to prepare yourselves. And my husband burst into tears and my question was, ok, right, when do you give up . And the doctors said, we dont, it is down to ellie. I said, then we dont give up. Ellie is recovering and last week was able to hold baby leos hand for the very first time. She just about got the strength to lift her left arm and she touched his hand, and then when we left, she just cried. It was as if she didnt want us to go, it was a magical moment, she just cried. And it was a huge moment for staff at the hospital who have been dealing with a pandemic for a year. We have been on this journey with ellie and it was such a positive thing to come out of this hard and trying time, itjust really lifted team spirit and morale. Ellie now faces months, perhaps years of rehab, but this family are forever grateful to the staff at this hospital. They are angels, it takes a special kind of person to work in Intensive Care. I couldnt do it. But it is a top hospital in my opinion, they saved my daughter and my grandson. The Downing Street Coronavirus Briefing coming up injust a moment. 0ur Political Correspondent chris mason is in westminster. More positive news in terms of cases and hospitalisations going down but questions about the borders policy . That is right, we have the Health Secretary matt hancock and doctor Susan Hopkins from Public Health england and doctorJonathan Van Tam the deputy chief medical officer. I wonder what analogies he might trot out a lot of the data is looking positive whether it be around cases or the ongoing and climbing vaccination numbers but the questions today about this brazilian variant and in particular is positive test that no one can find the root of and do not know who it is who posted this particular sample back to them due to some complication around the paperwork. So matt hancock issuing a plea that anyone who had the test on the 12th or 13th february, so now a couple of weeks ago, should get in touch if they not had result since. Theyre working with the Postal Service and Government Agencies as well to try to track down who this person be. Now the Opposition Parties are saying that this shows the government has been too lax for too long as far as borders are concerned and this particular concern relates to before the toughening of Border Measures were implemented on the 15th of february. The government makes the argument that the uk borders are amongst the toughest in the world. And they can make the argument that given how small the outbreak or at least identified outbreak or at least identified outbreak is, perhaps a combination of the borders and then the testing is broadly speaking working. But absolutely crucial at the height of this is that variants are something the government is very nervous about and have set it out as one of the conditions attached to the scale of the unlocking of lockdown in england. So it will be interesting to see if matt hancock has anything to see if matt hancock has anything to say in his tent language about just how nervous they are about this brazilian variant and whether or not it has the potential to push back that Timescale Set out last week as far as the return of our liberties is concerned. I guess that will be the concern that it may affect the road map from lockdown. It that it may affect the road map from lockdown. ,. ,. ,. ,. , lockdown. It is one of four criteria what allows lockdown. It is one of four criteria what allows them lockdown. It is one of four criteria what allows them to lockdown. It is one of four criteria what allows them to say lockdown. It is one of four criteria what allows them to say the lockdown. It is one of four criteria what allows them to say the data | what allows them to say the data doesnt look good enough and we have to push things back. It was one of the central contradictions at the heart of the announcement last week, the government said it is driven by data not dates, but when you see a date in a document and journalists wittering on about dates, we attach significance to those date and end P Significance to those date and end up counting down to them, although the government says over and over again, no earlier than. They were the three most important words in the three most important words in the document last week, relating to the document last week, relating to the potential re opening of society and crucially one of the four caveats inserted around the potential for slippage of the time frames is the whole business of variants. As things stands, the known extent of the brazilian variant is small. So listen out for the language and the tone struck by the language and the tone struck by the scientists and by mr hancock. He is not likely to say anything definitive on this today, but how careful is he around his language on this . That could be crucial as far as those dates are concerned in the coming weeks and months. I as those dates are concerned in the coming weeks and months. As those dates are concerned in the coming weeks and months. I know i romise coming weeks and months. I know i promise that coming weeks and months. I know i promise that this coming weeks and months. I know i promise that this briefing coming weeks and months. I know i promise that this briefing was promise that this briefing was starting at 5 oclock. We are hearing it has been delayed by perhaps 10 minutes. Im not going to ask you to talk for ten minutes, but i will ask you one more question. 0n the vaccine roll out, which has been hailed as a success and hit nearly 20. 3 million. But we are seeing fluctuations in the number of daily vaccinations, some days are higher than others. Vaccinations, some days are higher than others vaccinations, some days are higher than others. Press conferences that dont start on than others. Press conferences that dont start on time than others. Press conferences that dont start on time has than others. Press conferences that dont start on time has become than others. Press conferences that dont start on time has become a i dont start on time has become a staple, among with other variances in our variations in our lives. Mr hancock returning to the subject of supplies and the world used is about lumpy supply. That there isnt about lumpy supply. That there isnt a pipeline if you like of Vaccine Thatis A Pipeline if you like of vaccine that is consistent in how many are delivered each and every day. When you add on to that the kind of geographical distribution of the vaccines and the storage requirements, depending on the vaccine, there is the potential that in particular areas, you each appoint you reach a point where you have a number you want to vaccinate and youre not able to, because of a limitation in supply that might be resolved within the coming days after that. When you speak to people in government about this, they acknowledge it is an issue but point to the hope that there might still be lumpy moments as far as demand not being, or supply not being as high as they would like, as more vaccines come on stream and manufacturing increases, it might still remain lumpy, but the overall numbers could rise. But that is going to be something no doubt that the government keeps a keen eye on. In that the government keeps a keen eye on. ,. ,. ,. ,. , that the government keeps a keen eye on. ,. ,. ,. ,. , on. In terms of the data and cases and hospitalisation, on. In terms of the data and cases and hospitalisation, that on. In terms of the data and cases and hospitalisation, that is and hospitalisation, that is generally in a negative direction, which is good news for the government and the country and at the moment that means that we are on course to full full fulfil, given there can be variants, but we are on course for that road map to be fulfilled as set out by the Prime Minister the other day . Fulfilled as set out by the Prime Minister the other day . Yeah, thats ri. Ht, minister the other day . Yeah, thats right. When minister the other day . Yeah, thats right. When you minister the other day . Yeah, thats right, when you look minister the other day . Yeah, thats right, when you look at minister the other day . Yeah, thats right, when you look at the minister the other day . Yeah, thats right, when you look at the vaccine i right, when you look at the vaccine deployment, that deadline was met with a couple of days in hand for Vaccinating The Over 70s and the clinically vulnerable. Now the target by the middle of next month, by april 15th to vaccinate all people who are in Their 50s And 60s and the clinically vulnerable, as opposed to the extremely clinically vulnerable, and that seems to be progressing well wlachlt the government and the what the government and the what the government and the scientists have to struggle with is how you manage the psychology for all of us as individuals, as far as our own behaviour is concerned, particularly ly as the weather gets better and the temptation to meet people grows. With the restrictions still significant and a lot of them remaining in place for quite a long time. So how does the government in its communication manage what is good news around so many of the figures, whilst encouraging us to still be responsible, as far as our behaviour is concerned. That is not an easy communication challenge to wrestle with. I an easy communication challenge to wrestle with wrestle with. I think we have kept ou in the wrestle with. I think we have kept you in the cold wrestle with. I think we have kept you in the cold and wrestle with. I think we have kept you in the cold and the wrestle with. I think we have kept you in the cold and the wind wrestle with. I think we have kept you in the cold and the wind for. You in the cold and the wind for long enough thank you for being there. We may come back to you. Lets hear from the there. We may come back to you. Lets hearfrom the prime there. We may come back to you. Lets hear from the Prime Minister. He said today during a visit to a school in stoke that he leave it is uk is going at the he believes the uk is going at the right pace. I think that the schools have done an amazing job, think that the schools have done an amazingjob, it think that the schools have done an amazing job, it is fantastic to be here at st marys in stoke on trent where they are, every person i talk to are so keen for everyone to get back on march 8th. Part of that is making sure we have testing kits for secondary School Pupils and for teachers a parents and we have 50 million testing kits available. I think people understand how to use them. We are confident that they will be of use in helping to keep the disease under control and keep it going down. Ii the disease under control and keep it going down it going down. If we are able to kee the it going down. If we are able to keep the disease it going down. If we are able to keep the disease under it going down. If we are able to keep the disease under control| it going down. If we are able to keep the disease under control and there keep the disease under control and there are keep the disease under control and there are surges, is there a possibility that schools will have to close possibility that schools will have to close in those areas . What possibility that schools will have to close in those areas . What we are doinu is to close in those areas . What we are doing is embarking to close in those areas . What we are doing is embarking now to close in those areas . What we are doing is embarking now on to close in those areas . What we are doing is embarking now on a to close in those areas . What we are| doing is embarking now on a journey, a one way road map to freedom and it is designedly cautious in order to be irreversible. That is what we are hoping to achieve. Some people should say we should go faster, some people say we should be more hesitant. I think we are going at the right pace. Education is the priority and getting the schools open is something we have set our hearts on for a long time and im confident we will be ready. Everybody at this school is certainly ready and keen to get on with it. , �. , ,. ,. ,. , with it. Youve appealed to try and find the missing with it. Youve appealed to try and find the missing person with it. Youve appealed to try and find the missing person involved l with it. Youve appealed to try and | find the missing person involved in the brazilian variant of covid, p1 variant, the brazilian variant of covid, p1 variant, is the brazilian variant of covid, p1 variant, is this a failure of our border variant, is this a failure of our Border Controls and track and trace . We have Border Controls and track and trace . We have got Border Controls and track and trace . We have got one of toughest Border Regimes in the world for stopping people coming into this country who may have variants of concern and if you look at what we have done in the case of South African variant, a massive effort went in and the same is going on now to contain any spread of the brazilian variant. I should just say to anybody who is concerned that, just a couple of things, first of all we have no reason not to think that our vaccines are effective against these variants of concern at the present time. So people should take that as some you know, as some evidence of confidence. And then also listen to what Public Health england are also saying. They dont think there is a threat to the wider public. But obviously we are continuing to do everything we can to stop variants coming in at our borders. That is why we have a tough regime. The Prime Minister speaking earlier in stoke on trent. We are delayed on the latest Coronavirus Briefing. But we are going to be hearing any minute from the Health Secretary matt hancock and drJonathan Van Tam and dr Susan Hopkins. In the meantime. As is our wont, we will fill a few minutes with our Health Correspondent. First of all, lets talk about vaccinations, because we have seen the latest figure on the governments roll out, 20. 3 million almost. First dose vaccinations. But there is a promise today, well maybe not a promise, but a suggestion that the supply of vaccines might get much better in the coming weeks . Yes, there is increasing confidence in the second half of march we will see the numbers being vaccinated jump. Im told maybe by as much as 50 . What we saw last week, we saw. Y , 50 . What we saw last week, we saw. ,. , 50 . What we saw last week, we saw. ,~ g , 50 . What we saw last week, we saw. , g , saw. Sorry here they are. Just as i ask saw. Sorry here they are. Just as i ask you saw. Sorry here they are. Just as i ask you that saw. Sorry here they are. Just as i ask you that first saw. Sorry here they are. Just as i ask you that first question. Saw. Sorry here they are. Just as i ask you that first question. Here | i ask you that first question. Here Is Matt Hancock with the latest briefing. Is matt hancock with the latest briefinr. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. , Is Matt Hancock with the latest briefinr. ,. , , briefing. Good afternoon and welcome to the Coronavirus Briefing. Good afternoon and welcome to the Coronavirus Briefing. Briefing. Good afternoon and welcome to the Coronavirus Briefing. Im to the Coronavirus Briefing. Im joined by Professorjonathan Van Tam and dr Susan Hopkins. Since we spoke on friday, im delighted that we have reached the milestone of vaccinating 20 Million People across the uk. It is a magnificent achievement. First slide, please. As of yesterday, 0ver achievement. First slide, please. As of yesterday, over 20 Million People have received a jab. I want to pay tribute to all the teams involved across the whole of the uk, who have been delivering the largest and fastest Vaccination Programme in british history. And that we have been able to do this and that we have been able to move so much faster than any other similar sized nation has depended on a huge number of people. It is not an accident s it is down to insight and hard work. For the last year, this team has shared a common mission, which is to deliver us a vaccine as fast as satisfactorily possible. We have got used to saying thank you to people, but i want to call out firstly the regulator, who have remained tough and rigorous throughout. Yet flexible. So its safety and not bureaucracy they focus on. And they proved themselves to be in my view the best medical regulator in the world and we are all very grateful. Next the Vaccines Task force, their combination of academic excellent with private sector entrepreneurialism and Civil Service grip has forged a team of remarkable capability, which is a model for how governments can get stuff done in the future. The scientists, the pharmaceutical companies, the armed forces, everyone involved in the Delivery Effort and you, the british people, for sticking to the rules and for the remarkable enthusiasm to get a jab, which makes me really proud. Recent figures show 94 of those eligible have said that they either have had a jab, or will get a jab when their call comes. 94 . This is so important, because each and everyjab makes us all safer. Every time a friend sends me a message, with a picture of them having had theirjab and this happens to me a lot, i know that we are all one step safer and we are all one step closer to returning to normality. So it is is fantastic the enthusiasm people are showing and we still have a long way to go, so lets stick at it. Today, we have some new data to show on the effectiveness of the vaccine. Both its real world effect that we can now see in the data and some new Analytical Research that shows how its saving lives and this is being published in a paper by Public Health england and others right now. First, lets look at the real world data. Next slide, please. If you look at the number of new cases, the number is falling, but the rate of decline has slowed. This shows how we all need to keep sticking to the rules. Lets not blow it now. However, next slide, please, the number of hospitalisations is falling faster. Even better, among the age groups who were vaccinated first, the older age groups, the fall in hospitalisations is faster than in the younger age groups who are still yet to get a jab. This is are still yet to get a jab. This is a sign that the vaccine is working. You can really see it on the data on deaths because each day that is falling much faster than in the first peak and again as you can see from this slide is falling faster in the over 80s who got the jab first then in the under 80s. Final slide, please. Taken together this difference in the data between older and younger groups shows a vaccine gap and you canjust and younger groups shows a vaccine gap and you can just see it starting to emerge here over february. This is a gap between the rate of decline in older and younger groups. Where the older groups obviously got vaccinated first and you are seeing that the rate of decline in terms of the number of people dying each day is going faster amongst the over 80s and this shows in the real world across the uk right now that the vaccine is helping us to protect the nhs and to save lives. And these real world effects are backed up by some exciting new data that shows that a single shot of either the 0xford Astrazeneca vaccine or the Pfizer Vaccine works against severe infection among the over 70s with more than 80 reduction in hospitalisations. This is extremely good news. In fact the detailed data shows that the protection you get from Catching Covid 35 days after a firstjab is even slightly better for the oxford jab done for pfizer. Albeit both results are clearly very strong and professorjonathan strong and professor Jonathan Van Tam strong and Professorjonathan Van Tam is going to set up more details and a moment. These results may also help explain why the number of Template Admissions to Intensive Care units among people over 80 in the uk have dropped to single figures in the past couple of weeks which is something i know that we all welcome. This is seriously encouraging and it shows the power of science and what it means for you is that when the call comes, get the jab. The evidence shows it will protect you and protect others. I can formally announce that we are now inviting the over 60s to be vaccinated, all part of a National Effort to ensure everyone is offered the vaccine, every adult, by the end ofjuly. To do that and to make sure our Vaccine Programme is always kept up to date, we are making sure that the programme has the funds it needs to do all this incredible work. The budget on wednesday, the chancellor will set out, £1. 65 billion worth of new Government Funding to reinforce our vaccine roll out across all parts of the uk. As more of us are protected against the virus we can gradually replace the safety that comes from the restrictions that we have to impose with the safety that comes from the jab. Part of that funding will go towards further Vaccine Testing and development to make sure that we are as fast and effective in developing the next generation of covid vaccines including vaccines against new variants, as we were with the existing ones and there is a huge amount of work under way to ensure that we can develop, develop vaccines against these variants as fast and as safely as possible. Finally i want to turn to a different subject, the six cases of the variant of concern that was first identified in brazil that we have identified here in the uk. Three in scotland and three in england. We know that five of these people quarantined at home as they were legally required to do and we have been in contact with them and their families have been in contact with them and theirfamilies and we have been in contact with them and their families and we are grateful to them for understanding the seriousness of the situation. We are putting in place Search Testing in South Gloucestershire as a precaution and i urge everyone to remain vigilant. 0ne precaution and i urge everyone to remain vigilant. One of the six completed a test but did not successfully complete Contact Details and we therefore are asking anyone who took a test on the 12th or 13th Of February but has not received the results back to please get in touch by calling 119 in england, wales and Northern Ireland and scotland, a 300 332713. And Doctor Hopkins will give more information about this effort in a moment. We identify these cases thanks to the uk advanced sequencing capabilities and we know about them because of the work of nhs test and trace and scientists around the world are now working hard to get ahead of some of these new variants. Looking at how much a third vaccine dose could tackle these evolving mutations if necessary much as we tackled mutations from the flu each year. But for now tackling this disease rests with every single one of us. It is important to remember that no matter what variant it is, someone spreads in the same way to social contact between people. The steps that we can all take to stop it spreading at the same. To stay at home, to take vital steps such as hands, face and space and make sure we observe the basics. Letting fresh air in and keeping to the rules on social distancing. That is how we can keep yourself safe and protect the people around us and if we do thatis the people around us and if we do that is surely as spring follows winter, there will be brighter days ahead. I now turn to Doctor Hopkins to set out more about the p1 variant and then Professorjonathan Van Tam for more details of this Excellent Research into the impact of the vaccine. ,. , research into the impact of the vaccine. , ~ , research into the impact of the vaccine. , a , vaccine. Susan. As has widely been re orted vaccine. Susan. As has widely been reported this vaccine. Susan. As has widely been reported this weekend vaccine. Susan. As has widely been reported this weekend we vaccine. Susan. As has widely been| reported this weekend we identified six cases of a new variant of concern in the uk for the three cases in england and three in scotland. This variant calls p1 has been identified widely in brazil and also in other countries across the world. We are tracking it closely because it shares some important mutations with the variant first identified in south africa. Such as e484k and anne forde wife of the bees and other mutations are associated with reduced impact of antibodies against the virus in laboratory experiments. The current vaccines have not yet been studied against this variant and we will need to wait for further clinical and trial data to understand the Vaccine Effectiveness against this variant. In the meantime it is important that we track cases of this new variant as closely as possible in order to limit its spread in the uk. 0f possible in order to limit its spread in the uk. Of the cases found, to come from a single household in the south gloucester area and one of these individuals travelled back from brazil and has subsequently isolated effectively at home. The Household Development symptoms shortly afterwards and household members went forward and got tested in december was sequenced to our sequencing laboratories and reported to be this p1 variant. As the Secretary Of State has said we are doing additional Search Testing in parts of South Gloucestershire is a highly precautionary measure and we urge people in that part of the country to come forward for testing. I would like to stress that these individuals have followed all of the current protocols in terms of Self Isolation both on their return from the uk but also after they received positive test results and develop symptoms. Were also contacting individuals who were on the swissair flight l x individuals who were on the swissair flight l x 318 individuals who were on the swissair flight l x 318 travelling from zurich into london on the 10th Of February to provide Public Health advice and test them and their households. More than 90 of the flight have already been contacted through the details they left on the passenger location form. If you were a passenger on that flight and have not been contacted please call 0117 450 3174 to arrange a test for you and your household contacts. Theres also a third unlinked case in this individual did not complete their Test Registration is required is a follow up details are not available to the test and trace teams. This is an extremely rare event and probably less than one in 1000 individuals we cannot trace in this way. But we know that this is more frequent, around not. 3 , in those Doing Home Tests will have passed through the Search Testing service. We are in the process of doing everything that we can to track down this individuals who we believe would have taken the test on the 12th or 13th of january, february. We are especially looking for individuals who may have taken a test through Search Testing, those tests of the local authorities hand hand out door to door. And have not managed to complete the online form, to either complete the online form or call one of the numbers that i will tell you about. These numbers are 119 in england and zero 300 303 2713 in scotland. As soon as possible, thank you. In scotland. As soon as possible, thank you thank you. Thank you very much Doctor Hopkins thank you. Thank you very much Doctor Hopkins and thank you. Thank you very much Doctor Hopkins and now thank you. Thank you very much Doctor Hopkins and now i thank you. Thank you very much Doctor Hopkins and now i will. Thank you. Thank you very much i Doctor Hopkins and now i will turn to Professorjonathan Van Tam for more details on the good news in terms of the impact of the vaccines. Thank you, Secretary Of State and a few moments ago Public Health england few moments ago Public Health england with partners from across the four england with partners from across the four devolved nations of the uk published the four devolved nations of the uk published a new Report Summarising vaccine published a new Report Summarising Vaccine Effectiveness to date as part of Vaccine Effectiveness to date as part of the england programme. Thank you for part of the england programme. Thank you for bearing with us because it has taken you for bearing with us because it has taken a you for bearing with us because it has taken a while for that signal to stabilise has taken a while for that signal to stabilise so we have enough confidence to give you some data. But equally, it is still remarkably fast and but equally, it is still remarkably fast and a but equally, it is still remarkably fast and a credit to a Public Health agencies fast and a credit to a Public Health agencies that they have been able to do it in agencies that they have been able to do it in this agencies that they have been able to do it in this very short period of time do it in this very short period of time since do it in this very short period of time since our Vaccination Programme began time since our Vaccination Programme began i time since our Vaccination Programme began. I particularly want to mention began. I particularly want to mentionjamie lopez, mary ramsay, nick andrews and their colleagues who have nick andrews and their colleagues who have done really an enormous amount who have done really an enormous amount of who have done really an enormous amount of hard work to get us to where amount of hard work to get us to where we amount of hard work to get us to where we are today in terms of our data understanding. So the data that im data understanding. So the data that im going data understanding. So the data that im going to lay out for you are all data pertaining to Vaccine Effectiveness after the first dose of vaccine. And you have to be very careful of vaccine. And you have to be very careful about the Outcome Measures that you careful about the Outcome Measures that you are describing and therefore i will go through them very carefully. The first outcome measure very carefully. The first outcome measure is very carefully. The first outcome measure is outcome against infections defined in this case as people infections defined in this case as people who are ill with symptoms and to come people who are ill with symptoms and to come forward and take a positive ten test~ to come forward and take a positive ten test. And the data are for individuals aged 70 years of age and over~ individuals aged 70 years of age and over~ and individuals aged 70 years of age and over. And for both vaccines we see vaccine over. And for both vaccines we see Vaccine Effectiveness against illness Vaccine Effectiveness against illness after the first dose of approximately 60 . That was measured 28, approximately 60 . That was measured 28. To approximately 60 . That was measured 28. To 30 approximately 60 . That was measured 28, to 30 days after the vaccine had been 28, to 30 days after the vaccine had been given 28, to 30 days after the vaccine had been given but in the case of the visor been given but in the case of the Visor Vaccine that effect is seen to be sustained into the 35 day plus time be sustained into the 35 day plus time bracket. For astrazeneca in the 35 day time bracket. For astrazeneca in the 35 day plus time bracket. For astrazeneca in the 35 day plus time bracket, there is an early 35 day plus time bracket, there is an early sign that that might still be increasing to around 70 . But the confidence be increasing to around 70 . But the confidence intervals on that are very confidence intervals on that are very wide confidence intervals on that are very wide and that is a less certain figure very wide and that is a less certain figure the very wide and that is a less certain figure. The figure i can be certain of is figure. The figure i can be certain of is 60 figure. The figure i can be certain of is 60 effectiveness against illness of is 60 effectiveness against illness. Obviously there are still unfortunately because no vaccine is 100 unfortunately because no vaccine is 100 effective, people who become ill despite having had that first dose ill despite having had that first dose of ill despite having had that first dose of vaccine. But if you look then dose of vaccine. But if you look then at dose of vaccine. But if you look then at the dose of vaccine. But if you look then at the reductions in hospitalisation that are occurring on top hospitalisation that are occurring on top in hospitalisation that are occurring on top in those people who have still become infected, and you add that to still become infected, and you add that to the still become infected, and you add that to the fact that people who are not infected cannot by definition be hospitalised with covid, what that brings hospitalised with covid, what that brings you to is an overall effect for both brings you to is an overall effect for both vaccines in Public Health terms for both vaccines in Public Health terms that they are now preventing 80 of terms that they are now preventing 80 of reducing the likelihood of hospitalisation by 80 after one dose hospitalisation by 80 after one dose so hospitalisation by 80 after one dose. So that is the second outcome, the hospitalisations data. And the third outcome is mortality and because third outcome is mortality and because of the fact that mortality takes because of the fact that mortality takes longer to measure, unfortunately deaths from covid take longer unfortunately deaths from covid take longer to unfortunately deaths from covid take longer to occur after hospitalisations, at this point we only have hospitalisations, at this point we only have data for the Visor Vaccine where only have data for the Visor Vaccine where the only have data for the Visor Vaccine where the likelihood of mortality is being where the likelihood of mortality is being reduced by 85 in those over 70 year olds. So that really is the summary 70 year olds. So that really is the summary. Theres a lot more detail in the summary. Theres a lot more detail in the phe summary. Theres a lot more detail in the phe paperwhich summary. Theres a lot more detail in the phe paper which is online. But i in the phe paper which is online. But i think in the phe paper which is online. But i think you will agree with me that although these data pertain ust that although these data pertain just to that although these data pertain just to the 70 plus age group at the moment just to the 70 plus age group at the moment and i Vaccine Programme moves on with moment and i Vaccine Programme moves on with really moment and i Vaccine Programme moves on with really significant pace now as we on with really significant pace now as we move into the lower age groups. As we move into the lower age groups. It as we move into the lower age groups, it shows us and gives us those groups, it shows us and gives us those first groups, it shows us and gives us those first glimpses of how if we are patient and we give this Vaccine Programme are patient and we give this Vaccine Programme time to have its full effect, Programme Time to have its full effect, it Programme Time to have its full effect, it is going to hopefully take effect, it is going to hopefully take us effect, it is going to hopefully take us into a very different world in the take us into a very different world in the next take us into a very different world in the next few months. But we have to be in the next few months. But we have to be patient, we have to push on with the to be patient, we have to push on with the Vaccine Programme and most importantly with the Vaccine Programme and most importantly when you are called, for your place importantly when you are called, for your place in the vaccine queue, it is important your place in the vaccine queue, it is important that you come forward and have is important that you come forward and have that first dose and one called and have that first dose and one called for and have that first dose and one called for your second dose and some people called for your second dose and some people will called for your second dose and some people will be called back quite soon people will be called back quite soon now for their second dose, to come soon now for their second dose, to come forward for that as well. Great stuff, thank you very much. 0urfirst questions are great stuff, thank you very much. Our first questions are from members of the public. The first is from claire from selby. Of the public. The first is from claire from selby. Why is there such disari in claire from selby. Why is there such disparity in accessing claire from selby. Why is there such disparity in accessing the claire from selby. Why is there such disparity in accessing the vaccine . L disparity in accessing the vaccine . In my area group 7 is being vaccinated before group 6. Why are group 6, the clinically vulnerable being left behind and should the vaccines not be dispensed equally . Thank you, claire. We are working hard to get these vaccines out. And making sure that we both deliver according to the Order Set Out By Thejoint Committee on according to the order set out by the joint committee on vaccinations and immunisations and also do that in a way that doesnt lead to any vaccine being wasted. For instance, we know the pfizerjab has to be used within a few days of it coming out of freezer, so the Vaccine Centres are allowed, if the vaccine is otherwise going to be wasted, to make sure that it is used on a reserve list, which might include people who are from the next category down. So that does happen occasionally. We are balancing the Need For Speed with the need for sticking by the rank ordering. What i can tell you is that we are getting through all those groups. We are running at around half a million are running at around half a million a day. Just under on average over the last week. This means that if you are in group 6, and you havent yet been called, you wont have to wait for long, because we are rattling through that group as we speak. I of course i understand the concern, it is a matter of balancing the Need For Speed and some flexibility with trying to stick by the rank ordering. Do you have anything to add . Ila. A very anything to add . No. A very important anything to add . Fin. A very important question. Next question is from alistairfrom important question. Next question is from alistair from norwich. Concerning the data reintroducing public concerning the data reintroducing public freedoms concerning the data reintroducing public freedoms are concerning the data reintroducing public freedoms are there concerning the data reintroducing| public freedoms are there specific numbers public freedoms are there specific numbers of public freedoms are there specific numbers of cases public freedoms are there specific numbers of cases or public freedoms are there specific numbers of cases or deaths public freedoms are there specific numbers of cases or deaths that i public freedoms are there specific i numbers of cases or deaths that they have to numbers of cases or deaths that they have to be numbers of cases or deaths that they have to be below numbers of cases or deaths that they have to be below to numbers of cases or deaths that they have to be below to Guarantee Numbers of cases or deaths that they have to be below to guarantee those | have to be below to guarantee those freedoms have to be below to guarantee those freedoms if have to be below to guarantee those freedoms if so have to be below to guarantee those freedoms. If so what have to be below to guarantee those freedoms. If so what are have to be below to guarantee those freedoms. If so what are they . Have to be below to guarantee those freedoms. If so what are they . The. Freedoms. If so what are they . The answer is no freedoms. If so what are they . Answer is no. There are not freedoms. If so what are they . Answer is no. There are not specific thresholds and the reason for that is that the Prime Minister set out four tests and all four matter, but some cant be quantified in numbers. So the four tests include that hospitalisations and deaths are coming down and also there isnt a surge that may risk hospitalisations going up and that the Vaccine Programme is rolling out well and finally that there isnt a new variant of concern. The challenge is that we have to balance all four of these metrics and some can be quantified like the number of hospitalisations and deaths, but others cant, the Impact Hospitalisations and deaths, but others cant, nature Npact Hospitalisations and deaths, but others cant, nature np that depends on the nature of that variant. That is why we havent put precise numbers on it. But we make a judgment based on these four tests as to whether we can take each step in the road map when the time comes. Thank you. Next question is from Laura Keunssberg at the bbc. Thank ou. Laura keunssberg at the bbc. Thank you someone Laura Keunssberg at the bbc. Thank you. Someone carrying Laura Keunssberg at the bbc. Thank you. Someone carrying the Laura Keunssberg at the bbc. Thank you. Someone carrying the brazilian variant you. Someone carrying the brazilian variant was you. Someone carrying the brazilian variant was able you. Someone carrying the brazilian variant was able to you. Someone carrying the brazilian variant was able to disappear you. Someone carrying the brazilian variant was able to disappear weeks after the variant was able to disappear weeks after the variant variant was able to disappear weeks after the variant was variant was able to disappear weeks after the variant was detected, after the variant was detected, because after the variant was detected, because the after the variant was detected, because the government after the variant was detected, i because the government hadnt after the variant was detected, because the government hadnt got round because the government hadnt got round to because the government hadnt got round to introducing because the government hadnt got round to introducing Quarantine Round to introducing quarantine hotels. Round to introducing quarantine hotels. Do round to introducing quarantine hotels. Do you round to introducing quarantine hotels, do you believe round to introducing quarantine hotels, do you believe that round to introducing quarantine. Hotels, do you believe that delay will have hotels, do you believe that delay will have put hotels, do you believe that delay will have put people hotels, do you believe that delay will have put people at hotels, do you believe that delay will have put people at risk hotels, do you believe that delay will have put people at risk and i will have put people at risk and professor will have put people at risk and professor van tam, will have put people at risk and professor van tam, can will have put people at risk and professor van tam, can i will have put people at risk and professor van tam, can i ask. Will have put people at risk and. Professor van tam, can i ask you about professor van tam, can i ask you about the professor van tam, can i ask you about the news professor van tam, can i ask you about the news about professor van tam, can i ask you about the news about the professor van tam, can i ask you about the news about the vaccine | about the news about the vaccine that sounds about the news about the vaccine that sounds impressive, about the news about the vaccine that sounds impressive, in about the news about the vaccine that sounds impressive, in the i about the news about the vaccine i that sounds impressive, in the real world that sounds impressive, in the real world how that sounds impressive, in the real world how you that sounds impressive, in the real world how you describe that sounds impressive, in the real world how you describe the that sounds impressive, in the real world how you describe the impact| world how you describe the impact that these world how you describe the impact that these kind world how you describe the impact that these kind of world how you describe the impact that these kind of results world how you describe the impact that these kind of results suggestl that these kind of results suggest the vaccine that these kind of results suggest the vaccine might that these kind of results suggest the vaccine might have that these kind of results suggest the vaccine might have and that these kind of results suggest the vaccine might have and whatl the vaccine might have and what difference the vaccine might have and what difference could the vaccine might have and what difference could that the vaccine might have and what difference could that make the vaccine might have and what difference could that make in. The vaccine might have and what| difference could that make in the weeks difference could that make in the weeks to difference could that make in the weeks to come difference could that make in the weeks to come to difference could that make in the weeks to come to what difference could that make in the weeks to come to what we difference could that make in the weeks to come to what we are i weeks to come to what we are experience weeks to come to what we are experience something weeks to come to what we are experience something weeks to come to what we are experience something thank you, two very important experience something thank you, two very important questions. Experience something thank you, two very important questions. The experience something thank you, two very important questions. The answeri very important questions. The answer to the first is no. We had already quarantine in place and in fact we had already put in Place A Ban On Direct Travel from brazil and also that those who are not either citizens or resident here couldnt come. All the evidence is that the five cases that we know about followed those Quarantine Rules and that i hope is Very Reassuring to people. There is no evidence that the sixth case did not follow those Quarantine Rules. We need to obviously get in contact with the person in question. Also this positive test was on the 12th or 13th february, we think, and that was obviously over two weeks ago and we havent seen any further knock on transmissions in the data that we obviously monitor very closely and we now. We now sequence around a third of all of the positive tests. So all of that points to the work thats been done and the system that was in place having managed to control this. But obviously since then we have introduced further and stricter measures and the Hotel Quarantine, as you say, to strengthen this system further. In answer to your second question, i will go toJonathan Van Tam. Answer to your second question, i will go to jonathan vantam. Thank ou for will go to jonathan vantam. Thank you for the will go to jonathan vantam. Thank you for the question, will go to jonathan vantam. Thank you for the question, laura. Will go to jonathan vantam. Thank you for the question, laura. So, will go to jonathan vantam. Thank you for the question, laura. So, we| you for the question, laura. So, we have given first doses now to more than 20 Million People on thejcvi priority groups, but we need to remember that means there are still another 15 Million People roughly who need their first dose and then it will be important to go back progressively as we go through from now really to give second doses. So it is still all going to take time until we can apply the results that ive described to you in a more generalised way in the population. But in time, i expect the vaccine to lower levels of disease across the country. I expect it to reduce the likelihood, because we are starting from the elderly and the most vulnerable, that infections that are present can get into the older and more vulnerable population. And i expect for the individuals who have been vaccinated, even if they come across the virus and even if they are infected with the virus, i expect the likelihood of them suffering severe consequences not to be eliminated, but to be lessened over time. Be eliminated, but to be lessened overtime. In be eliminated, but to be lessened over time. In other words, the ratio of mild cases to severe cases should increase in favour of milder cases, as time goes by. So there is a lot to look forward to. It is very tempting to just to look forward to. It is very tempting tojust go, to look forward to. It is very tempting to just go, right, to look forward to. It is very tempting tojust go, right, we have seen the results, that means the problems fixed. The problem isnt fixed yet, but we definitely have identified a way of fixing the problem. And the early data show us how to do that and where to advance from here. ~ how to do that and where to advance from here. ,. , how to do that and where to advance from here. ~ , � , how to do that and where to advance from here. ~ , � ,. , from here. Thank you. Anything to add . No. Next from here. Thank you. Anything to add . No. Next question from here. Thank you. Anything to add . No. Next question from from here. Thank you. Anything to add . No. Next question from itv. | from here. Thank you. Anything to add . No. Next question from itv. You have said that one of the ways to stop the have said that one of the ways to stop the spread have said that one of the ways to stop the spread of have said that one of the ways to stop the spread of new have said that one of the ways to stop the spread of new variant i have said that one of the ways to stop the spread of new variant is| have said that one of the ways to. Stop the spread of new variant is to stay at stop the spread of new variant is to stay at home. Stop the spread of new variant is to stay at home. Yet stop the spread of new variant is to stay at home, yet youre stop the spread of new variant is to stay at home, yet youre about stop the spread of new variant is to stay at home, yet youre about to i stay at home, yet youre about to open stay at home, yet youre about to open schools stay at home, yet youre about to open schools and stay at home, yet youre about to open schools and start stay at home, yet youre about to open schools and start unlocking. How likely open schools and start unlocking. How likely is open schools and start unlocking. How likely is it open schools and start unlocking. How likely is it that open schools and start unlocking. How likely is it that this open schools and start unlocking. How likely is it that this new how likely is it that this new variant could how likely is it that this new variant could derail how likely is it that this new variant could derail that how likely is it that this new. Variant could derail that process and if variant could derail that process and if i variant could derail that process and if i could variant could derail that process and if i could ask variant could derail that process and if i could ask dr variant could derail that process and if i could ask dr hopkins variant could derail that process and if i could ask dr hopkins asl and if i could ask dr hopkins as well. And if i could ask dr hopkins as well. What and if i could ask dr hopkins as well. What is and if i could ask dr hopkins as well, what is the and if i could ask dr hopkins as well, what is the likelihood and if i could ask dr hopkins asl well, what is the likelihood that there well, what is the likelihood that there are well, what is the likelihood that there are already well, what is the likelihood that there are already many well, what is the likelihood that there are already many more i well, what is the likelihood that. There are already many more than well, what is the likelihood that there are already many more than six cases there are already many more than six cases of there are already many more than six cases of the there are already many more than six cases of the new there are already many more than six cases of the new variant there are already many more than six cases of the new variant in there are already many more than six cases of the new variant in the there are already many more than six cases of the new variant in the uk cases of the new variant in the uk and the cases of the new variant in the uk and the prime cases of the new variant in the uk and the Prime Minister cases of the new variant in the uk and the Prime Minister has cases of the new variant in the uk and the Prime Minister has said. And the Prime Minister has said today and the Prime Minister has said today that and the Prime Minister has said today that there and the Prime Minister has said today that there is and the Prime Minister has said today that there is no and the Prime Minister has said today that there is no evidence | and the Prime Minister has said today that there is no evidence that the existing today that there is no evidence that the existing vaccines today that there is no evidence that the existing vaccines are today that there is no evidence that the existing vaccines are not the existing vaccines are not effective the existing vaccines are not effective against the existing vaccines are not effective against new the existing vaccines are notl effective against new variant, the existing vaccines are not effective against new variant, how confident effective against new variant, how confident are effective against new variant, how confident are you effective against new variant, how confident are you that effective against new variant, how confident are you that they effective against new variant, how confident are you that they are confident are you that they are effective . Confident are you that they are effective . ~ confident are you that they are effective . ,. ,. , effective . Thank you. Three vital questions effective . Thank you. Three vital questions. The effective . Thank you. Three vital questions. The first effective . Thank you. Three vital questions. The first one effective . Thank you. Three vital questions. The first one on effective . Thank you. Three vital. Questions. The first one on schools, we do not think that there is any need to change the approach on schools for monday, because of the new variant. The reason we think thatis new variant. The reason we think that is in five of the six cases we have been in contact with them, three in scotland, where of course Public Health scotland take it is lead and two in england where Public Health england takes the lead. And they have been in contact with these cases and we have a high degree of confidence that they followed quarantine, as they are, they were legally required to do. In the case of the sixth case of course we are trying to track down this individual. But we also have not seen any further community spread. Why while it is something we should be vigilant about it doesnt change our assessment of the road map right now, not least because our goal is to contain this transmission to just these six people, but we will obviously be looking out for that very carefully. I obviously be looking out for that very carefully obviously be looking out for that very carefully. I would add, so we have sequenced very carefully. I would add, so we have sequenced almost very carefully. I would add, so we have sequenced almost 150,000| very carefully. I would add, so we have sequenced almost 150,000 cases of this have sequenced almost 150,000 cases of this infection since 2021. These are the of this infection since 2021. These are the only six cases we have identified. Are the only six cases we have identified. We have also working with the identified. We have also working with the ons and other studies where they get with the ons and other studies where they get a with the ons and other studies where they get a representative proportion of the they get a representative proportion of the population sequenced and we have not of the population sequenced and we have not found any p1 cases in that. That is have not found any p1 cases in that. That is reassuring. But we are still on guard that is reassuring. But we are still on guard and increasing the proportion of the cases that get sequenced on a week by week basis. Clearly. Sequenced on a week by week basis. Clearly. We sequenced on a week by week basis. Clearly, we will manage and look to see if clearly, we will manage and look to see if there clearly, we will manage and look to see if there are any other cases in the community. That is why we want that individual to come forward, so we can that individual to come forward, so we can ensure their contacts are tested. We can ensure their contacts are tested, that we review and look at everything tested, that we review and look at everything about this case and can find out everything about this case and can find out whether there are any associated capes that need any further associated capes that need any further work cases that need any work further work cases that need any work done further work cases that need any work done to further work cases that need any work done to them. The further work cases that need any work done to them. Work done to them. The next the ruestion. Work done to them. The next the question you work done to them. The next the question. You know work done to them. The next the question. You know there work done to them. The next the question. You know there is work done to them. The next the question. You know there is this | question. You know there is this missin question. You know there is this missing case. Question. You know there is this missing case, but question. You know there is this missing case, but not question. You know there is this missing case, but not who question. You know there is this missing case, but not who or. Question. You know there is this. Missing case, but not who or where or whether missing case, but not who or where or whether they missing case, but not who or where or whether they have missing case, but not who or where or whether they have several or whether they have several isolated. Or whether they have several isolated. How or whether they have several isolated. How is or whether they have several isolated. How is it or whether they have several isolated. How is it that or whether they have several isolated. How is it that afterl or whether they have several. Isolated. How is it that after two months isolated. How is it that after two months of isolated. How is it that after two months of a isolated. How is it that after two months of a tough isolated. How is it that after two months of a tough lockdown isolated. How is it that after two months of a tough lockdown and isolated. How is it that after two months of a tough lockdown and one week before months of a tough lockdown and one week before it months of a tough lockdown and one week before it starts months of a tough lockdown and one week before it starts to months of a tough lockdown and one week before it starts to lift, months of a tough lockdown and one week before it starts to lift, such week before it starts to lift, such a concerning week before it starts to lift, such a concerning new week before it starts to lift, such a concerning new variant week before it starts to lift, such a concerning new variant has week before it starts to lift, such. A concerning new variant has been allowed a concerning new variant has been allowed to a concerning new variant has been allowed to slip a concerning new variant has been allowed to slip through a concerning new variant has been allowed to slip through the a concerning new variant has been allowed to slip through the net . I a concerning new variant has been. Allowed to slip through the net . And jonathan allowed to slip through the net . And Jonathan Van Tam, allowed to slip through the net . And Jonathan Van Tam, level allowed to slip through the net . And Jonathan Van Tam, level with allowed to slip through the net . And Jonathan Van Tam, level with the. Jonathan van tam, level with the british Jonathan Van Tam, level with the british publish, Jonathan Van Tam, level with the british publish, is Jonathan Van Tam, level with the british publish, is there Jonathan Van Tam, level with the british publish, is there a Jonathan Van Tam, level with the i british publish, is there a prospect of a foreign british publish, is there a prospect of a foreign holiday british publish, is there a prospect of a foreign holiday this british publish, is there a prospect of a foreign holiday this summer. Of a foreign holiday this summer when of a foreign holiday this summer when new of a foreign holiday this summer when new variants of a foreign holiday this summer when new variants are of a foreign holiday this summer when new variants are crossing i of a foreign holiday this summer. When new variants are crossing our borders when new variants are crossing our borders and when new variants are crossing our borders and there when new variants are crossing our borders and there is when new variants are crossing our borders and there is still when new variants are crossing our borders and there is still no borders and there is still no vaccine borders and there is still no vaccine with borders and there is still no vaccine with universal borders and there is still no vaccine with Universal Protection Against vaccine with Universal Protection Against the vaccine with Universal Protection Against the virus . Vaccine with Universal Protection Against the virus . Vaccine with Universal Protection Against the virus . Thank you. I see it the other against the virus . Thank you. I see it the other way against the virus . Thank you. I see it the other way around, against the virus . Thank you. I see it the other way around, it against the virus . Thank you. I see it the other way around, it is it the other way around, it is because of the extraordinary capability of test and trace that we have been able to identify these cases and in particular there is a high chance that the identification of the sixth case came through the Surge Testing that we put in around communities where we were previously looking for other variants of concern. We dont know that for sure, but without the huge surveillance that we have, in terms of the Testing Capability and then the ability to sequence that, we wouldnt know about this. By sequencing now around 30 of cases, that means that we do have a very good survey to be able to spot variants of concern. But, as you say, it is critical that people continue to follow the rules, because that limits the spread of new variants as it limit it is spread s the spread of the existing variant. I spread s the spread of the existing variant. , ~ spread s the spread of the existing variant. , ~. ,. ,. , variant. I would like to add that sometimes variant. I would like to add that sometimes it variant. I would like to add that sometimes it is variant. I would like to add that sometimes it is important variant. I would like to add that sometimes it is important that| sometimes it is important that people sometimes it is important that people may have got the test and not realised people may have got the test and not realised how to complete it or my have realised how to complete it or my have lost realised how to complete it or my have lost their form to complete it. 119 is have lost their form to complete it. 119 is standing by in england and the scottish number is available on the scottish number is available on the web site. We are imploring people the web site. We are imploring people to the web site. We are imploring people to come forward if they havent people to come forward if they havent got their test results and we will havent got their test results and we will help you find and reconnect you with we will help you find and reconnect you with the results and be able to stop any you with the results and be able to stop any transmission. Stop any transmission. Thank you. The guardian. Stop any transmission. Thank you. The guardian. Thank stop any transmission. Thank you. The guardian. Thank you. Stop any transmission. Thank you. The guardian. Thank you. So stop any transmission. Thank you. The guardian. Thank you. So we. Stop any transmission. Thank you. The guardian. Thank you. So we know that the p1 from the guardian. Thank you. So we know that the p1 from brazil the guardian. Thank you. So we know that the p1 from brazil is the guardian. Thank you. So we know that the p1 from brazil is on the guardian. Thank you. So we know that the p1 from brazil is on the that the p1 from brazil is on the red list that the p1 from brazil is on the red list of that the p1 from brazil is on the red list of where that the p1 from brazil is on the red list of where people that the p1 from brazil is on the red list of where people have i that the p1 from brazil is on the i red list of where people have to quarantine red list of where people have to quarantine. Labour red list of where people have to quarantine. Labour is red list of where people have to quarantine. Labour is saying red list of where people have to| quarantine. Labour is saying the red list of where people have to i quarantine. Labour is saying the p1 variants quarantine. Labour is saying the p1 variants has quarantine. Labour is saying the p1 variants has been quarantine. Labour is saying the p1 variants has been found quarantine. Labour is saying the p1 variants has been found in quarantine. Labour is saying the p1. Variants has been found in germany, the faroe variants has been found in germany, the faroe islands, variants has been found in germany, the faroe islands, italy, variants has been found in germany, the faroe islands, italy, japan variants has been found in germany, the faroe islands, italy, japan and l the faroe islands, italy, japan and the faroe islands, italy, japan and the usa the faroe islands, italy, japan and the usa and the faroe islands, italy, japan and the usa and none the faroe islands, italy, japan and the usa and none of the faroe islands, italy, japan and the usa and none of those the faroe islands, italy, japan and the usa and none of those are the faroe islands, italy, japan and the usa and none of those are onl the faroe islands, italy, japan and. The usa and none of those are on the red list. The usa and none of those are on the red list. Does the usa and none of those are on the red list. Does this the usa and none of those are on the red list. Does this mean the usa and none of those are on the red list. Does this mean the the usa and none of those are on the red list. Does this mean the uks red list. Does this mean the uks borders red list. Does this mean the uks borders are red list. Does this mean the uks borders are pourous red list. Does this mean the uks borders are pourous and red list. Does this mean the uks borders are pourous and the red list. Does this mean the uks borders are pourous and the red i red list. Does this mean the uks i borders are pourous and the red list is not borders are pourous and the red list is not the borders are pourous and the red list is not the way borders are pourous and the red list is not the way to borders are pourous and the red list is not the way to go borders are pourous and the red list is not the way to go about borders are pourous and the red list is not the way to go about this. Borders are pourous and the red list is not the way to go about this. Can| is not the way to go about this. Can iask is not the way to go about this. Can i ask you is not the way to go about this. Can i ask you about is not the way to go about this. Can i ask you about the is not the way to go about this. Can i ask you about the positive is not the way to go about this. Can i ask you about the positive news. I ask you about the positive news about i ask you about the positive news about the i ask you about the positive news about the vaccines i ask you about the positive news about the vaccines and i ask you about the positive news about the vaccines and t i ask you about the positive news about the vaccines and t astrazeneca vaccine about the vaccines and t astrazeneca vaccine in about the vaccines and t astrazeneca vaccine in particular, about the vaccines and t astrazeneca vaccine in particular, do about the vaccines and t astrazeneca vaccine in particular, do you about the vaccines and t astrazeneca vaccine in particular, do you think vaccine in particular, do you think it could vaccine in particular, do you think it could put vaccine in particular, do you think it could put paid vaccine in particular, do you think it could put paid to vaccine in particular, do you think it could put paid to to vaccine in particular, do you think it could put paid to to scepticisml it could put paid to to scepticism we have it could put paid to to scepticism we have seen it could put paid to to scepticism we have seen in it could put paid to to scepticism we have seen in europe it could put paid to to scepticism we have seen in europe about. It could put paid to to scepticism i we have seen in europe about this vaccine . We have seen in europe about this vaccine . ~ we have seen in europe about this vaccine . ,. ,. Vaccine . Thank you very much. I will answer those vaccine . Thank you very much. I will answer those two vaccine . Thank you very much. I will answer those two and vaccine . Thank you very much. I will answer those two and ask vaccine . Thank you very much. I will answer those two and ask vjt vaccine . Thank you very much. I will answer those two and ask vjt to answer those two and ask vjt to answer those two and ask vjt to answer the previous question. The first point is that the proportion of cases that are variants of concern in some other countries like germany are exceptionally low. In the same way that the proportion of cases here that are variants of concern are be exceptionamly low. But there are other countries like brazil and south africa where the variant of concern is the dominant variant of concern is the dominant variant and that is a material consideration in terms of the red list. What i would say further is home quarantine is required for everybody and we have a requirement for a predeparture test and a test at day 2 and 8. So we have these strong. Safeguards against the. Against these variant s that are in place now. On the the second question, i hope that people look at the data that we have published today and see the rigour of the science and read from that the same as i do, that both of the vaccines that are in the use in the uk right now are extremely effective and one dose. There is further evidence in the paper of further effectiveness after two doses. And that is yet more good news. And there are on some measures, there are signs that the 0xford Astrazeneca vaccine is slightly more effective than the Pfizer Vaccine. Slightly more effective than the pfizervaccine. But slightly more effective than the Pfizer Vaccine. But the Pfizer Vaccine on these data is also extremely effective. So i absolutely hope that right around the world people study the data and understand what they mean, which is that getting the astrazeneca jab or getting the astrazeneca jab or getting the astrazeneca jab or getting the pfizerjab, is the right thing to do and it could save your life. I willjust go back to the question from thomas moore because he asked me to level with him and the british people about summer holidays. I think that we are still as you can see from the news today, were still in a zone great uncertainty about what the virus will do next. 0n in a zone great uncertainty about what the virus will do next. On top of that many of the Vaccination Programmes in europe which is a place where we frequently go on holiday abroad, running behind our programme and clearly whether we can go on holiday abroad to places such as europe depends upon what other countries will say and do in terms of foreign tourism. That is the best i can do to level with you. Im not going to give you a firm answer because i generally do not think that there is one at this point. I think i would just say there has to be great uncertainty at the moment. 0n the point about the astrazeneca vaccine and non adoption by many countries in terms of its use in the over 65 population, that was driven by the fact that there were relatively small amounts of data on the other 65 is in the Clinical Trials available at that point in time for the astrazeneca vaccine. And our Technical Advisory Committee didjcvi and our Technical Advisory Committee did jcvi took a view which i share that it was not immunologically plausible that the vaccine would work up to come in the age range 18 to 55 years of age which is where a lot of the data ran out and then not work in those older age groups. We took a view that is almost certainly would work. The phe data have clearly indicated that approach today. And im not here to criticise other countries but to say that i think in time the data emerging from a programme will speak for itself and that other countries will doubtless be very interested in it. Thank you professorjonathan thank you professor Jonathan Van Tam, thank you Professorjonathan Van Tam, very diplomatic. Just one other thing is important to read from this data which is that the dated do also support the clinicians view, the advice to us ministers which we took, that the appropriate dosing regime is 12 weeks apart in order to save the most lives because the reduction of hospitalisations by more than 80 is a very good sign. Thank you very much. Next question from the daily express. Aha, thank you very much. Next question from the daily express. From the daily express. A question to professor from the daily express. A question to professorjonathan from the daily express. A question to professorjonathan vantam. From the daily express. A question | to professorjonathan vantam and to Professorjonathan Van Tam and doctor to Professorjonathan Van Tam and doctor Susan Hopkins about masks, people doctor Susan Hopkins about masks, people in doctor Susan Hopkins about masks, people in some parts of the world have people in some parts of the world have taken to wearing two masks for the joe have taken to wearing two masks for the joe biden has been seen doing that and the joe biden has been seen doing that and i the joe biden has been seen doing that and ijust wonder if you seen any evidence to suggest that that is any evidence to suggest that that is a good any evidence to suggest that that is a good idea and would you recommend it . And a good idea and would you recommend it . And israel but the uk has had a very fast it . And israel but the uk has had a very fast vaccine roll out, but they have very fast vaccine roll out, but they have been very fast vaccine roll out, but they have been concerns that significantly fewer people have come forward significantly fewer people have come forward for a second dose. Have you seen forward for a second dose. Have you seen a forward for a second dose. Have you seen a similarthing forward for a second dose. Have you seen a similar thing happening here and what seen a similar thing happening here and what he doing to make sure people and what he doing to make sure people get both doses that they need . People get both doses that they need . , w people get both doses that they need . ,. , people get both doses that they need . ,. ,. , need . Double my skin . What we know is the more layers need . Double my skin . What we know is the more layers you need . Double my skin . What we know is the more layers you have, need . Double my skin . What we know is the more layers you have, the is the more layers you have, the better and so we recommend at least two layers in the uk and ideally three layers in a mask. That is really important to reduce the viral transmission both from you to others and others to you. We have got face coverings advisory groups who meet on a regular basis and they look at new and emerging evidence and the us has looked at some of that evidence as well. We are in ongoing discussions about what to do next but we think that one mask that has more than two layers is currently effective for the vast majority of the population. Effective for the vast maority of the population effective for the vast maority of the population. Anything to add . Nothin to the population. Anything to add . Nothing to add. The population. Anything to add . Nothing to add. On the population. Anything to add . Nothing to add. On the the population. Anything to add . Nothing to add. On the point the population. Anything to add . I nothing to add. On the point about nothing to add. 0n the point about israel the first thing i would say is that we have seen this vaccine gap emerging in the israeli data as well and it is Very Reassuring to see the same impressive results from the vaccine in israel as well as here in the uk. In terms of second doses i have heard those reports that you refer to. Weve not seen that you refer to. Weve not seen that sort of reticence here. And it is absolutely vitally important as we come up to the 12 week mark since Margaret Keenan received herfirst jab on the 8th of december, and sold the number of people coming for a second jab is going to start to rise as we go through this month. And we have all the supplies to deliver that and everyone can have confidence that the jab will be there ready and waiting for them when they go forward further second vaccination. But obviously coming forward for the second jab is very important part of this programme because while the first gives you this excellent protection that we are seeing in the data we are publishing today, the data also shows that further the pfizerjab which is the only one that we have data for, you get yet further protection from the second jab. So you should notjust come forward for the first jab as you should notjust come forward for the firstjab as people are doing in droves and the uptake figures are spectacular, but it is very important that people come forward for their second jab when they are asked to as well by the nhs. Anything to add . I would just like to say that the human immune system is really incredibly complex and there are some immunologists who are much cleverer than i am who i still trying to get to the bottom of it and probably the next generation of immunologists after them will still be trying to get to the bottom of it. But i think there is significant likelihood that a second dose of vaccine is going to mature your immune response and possibly make it broader and almost certainly make it longer than it otherwise would be in relation to a first dose only. So whilst our policy is absolutely and without apology or reservation theme to pursue first dose is the priority for as many people as possible, and inevitably the consequence of that is that the second dose is delayed somewhat, it is absolutely critical that they are still part of the course of immunisation against covid and no less important for that reason. ~ and no less important for that reason. , ~ ,. , and no less important for that reason. ~ ,. , y and no less important for that reason. , ~ ,. ~ reason. Thank you very much. And the final question reason. Thank you very much. And the final question is reason. Thank you very much. And the final question is from reason. Thank you very much. And the final question is from jill reason. Thank you very much. And the final question is from jill lawless final question is from jill lawless at ap. ,. , final question is from jill lawless atap. ,. ,. , final question is from jill lawless atap. ,. ,. ,. , at ap. Question four u, Health Secretary. At ap. Question four u, Health Secretary, what at ap. Question four u, Health Secretary, what did at ap. Question four u, Health Secretary, what did you at ap. Question four u, Health Secretary, what did you think. At ap. Question four u, Health Secretary, what did you think about the eu secretary, what did you think about the eu plan for what they call a digital the eu plan for what they call a digital vaccination green pass, essentially vaccination passport, the uk essentially vaccination passport, the uk has called for International Coordination on Getting International travel going again, is that a International Travel going again, is that a useful idea and some think the uk that a useful idea and some think the uk might sign up to . And then the uk might sign up to . And then the road the uk might sign up to . And then the road map to easing lockdown in england the road map to easing lockdown in england starts when children go back to class england starts when children go back to class in england starts when children go back to class in a england starts when children go back to class in a week and proceeds for the number to class in a week and proceeds for the number of steps and i wonder which the number of steps and i wonder which state you are most concerned about . Which state you are most concerned about . So which state you are most concerned about . ,. , ,. , ~ about . So we are absolutely working with our international about . So we are absolutely working with our International Partners about . So we are absolutely working with our International Partners on. With our International Partners on any need for certification in terms of having had a vaccine to be able to travel to another country because if another country wants to say that you need to have been vaccinated with a recognised vaccine to travel there and we want to enable brits to be able to take thatjourney. So we are working with International Partners in the eu as part of those discussions as are several other countries around the world. And obviously it is important work. What i would also say is that in a sense this already exists because you need to have a test before you can travel to have a test before you can travel to the uk and as far as i understand it from the details set out today the eu proposal is that thats certification includes both whether you have had the vaccine and also whether you have recently had a test for those who cannot get vaccinated yet. And that obviously is particularly important. Therefore it is something that we are working with them and others on matters that we get the details of this right for International Travel. 0n the question on the road map, what i would say in response to your question is that we have set out the tests precisely so that we can be sure that the data still allows for the safe step down the road map. And im highly confident that the opening of schools on monday is the right thing to do and the data points that way and then we will assess the data before taking the second step. The road map is designed to be able to see the data before we take each step. And so we have done it in order to be able to have done it in order to be able to have the assurance that we are taking a cautious yet irreversible path out of this pandemic. Doctor hokins . Path out of this pandemic. Doctor hopkins . I path out of this pandemic. Doctor hopkins . I would path out of this pandemic. Doctor hopkins . I would agree path out of this pandemic. Doctor hopkins . I would agree commit i path out of this pandemic. Doctor l hopkins . I would agree commit the thing we know is that children going back to school at each point is likely to increase interactions with others and therefore we are likely to see an increase in the r number and potentially more transmissions so we need to give time after each of these events to monitor the impact of that notjust on cases in the community but particularly on Hospital Admissions and deaths which is what we see the vaccines are preventing. And what will prevent surges in hospitalisations and therefore a big impact. So we need to monitor the cases after each step and that is going to be really important. That and that is going to be really important and that is going to be really imortant. �. , important. At the risk of sounding like a parrot. Important. At the risk of sounding like a parrot, im important. At the risk of sounding like a parrot, im not important. At the risk of sounding like a parrot, im not worried important. At the risk of sounding l like a parrot, im not worried about any particular step. Im far more worried any particular step. Im far more worried that there is time to consider worried that there is time to consider the effect of each step before consider the effect of each step before we move onto the next one. And that before we move onto the next one. And that way we get into a process where and that way we get into a process where we and that way we get into a process where we are hopefully with vaccines relaxing where we are hopefully with vaccines relaxing in where we are hopefully with vaccines relaxing in a very long term way and do not relaxing in a very long term way and do not have relaxing in a very long term way and do not have a relaxing in a very long term way and do not have a go backwards and forwards do not have a go backwards and forwards and backwards and forwards. And we forwards and backwards and forwards. And we will forwards and backwards and forwards. And we will leave that briefing there from Downing Street. The six oclock news is coming up. Now the weather. We have a change to the weather story in the next few days. As the High Pressure moves to the near constant the moves south east driving in some cloud and moisture from the roy c. Sell a great start and possibly even a foggy start quite widely across the country particularly the further east you are. That folk should live to low cloud to the day but for some areas theres not much in the way of sunshine. Some brighter conditions in scotland, Northern Ireland, wales and southern england to the afternoon and temperatures peaking between six and 14 degrees. Moving out of tuesday into wednesday, a chance of seeing some sharper showers, some of those heavy infantry, england and wales. Somewhat cooler but quieter conditions set to return as we move into thursday. Have a pleasant afternoon. The duke of edinburgh is transferred to a leading london cardiac hospital for tests for a heart condition. Shielded from view by umbrellas, a patient believed to be the duke was taken by ambulance to barts hospital. The duke, whos 99, has already spentjust under a fortnight in hospital. Prince philip has an infection and is expected to remain in hospital for the rest of the week. Also tonight new data shows how the Vaccination Programme is dramatically cutting hospitalisation. The problem isnt fixed yet, but we definitely the problem isnt fixed yet, but we definitely have identified a way of fixing definitely have identified a way of fixing the problem, and the early