‘We can vaccinate everyone’- Oxford jabs to begin next week after green light from regulators

The UK Department of Health and Social Care said it has accepted the recommendation the UK regulator MHRA ‘to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for use’.

A spokesperson said that after ‘rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data’ MHRA has ‘concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness’.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning, the Health Secretary said the under-50s are now set to receive a jab, even though their likelihood of dying from Covid-19 is ‘much lower’.

He said: “The under-50s, firstly they’ll get the vaccine if they are clinically vulnerable to coronavirus and if they’ve been receiving letters during the whole pandemic about shielding and the specific arrangements that are necessary for those who are clinically vulnerable.

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“If you get those letters, then you’re on the clinically vulnerable list and you’ll be pulled forward, including if you’re under the age of 50.

“And then once we’ve vaccinated all of them, and the over-50s, which is a significant chunk of the population, then we will continue to vaccinate the under-50s.

“Because we’ve got enough of this vaccine on order to vaccinate the whole population, add that to the 30 million doses of Pfizer and that’s enough for two doses for the entire population.

“So I can now say with confidence that we can vaccinate everyone, except of course for children because this vaccine has not been trialled on children, and anyway children are much, much less likely to have symptoms from the disease.”

The Independent Care Group, which represents more than 200 care providers in North Yorkshire and York, called the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine news ‘absolutely brilliant and fantastic’.

Chairman Mike Padgham said: “2020 has been dreadful. After the shocking figures released yesterday of the massive rise in infections, this gives us much hope.

“This should mean that the mass roll-out of the vaccinations can now begin in earnest to those residents and all vulnerable people – particularly those in care homes and the staff that care for them – as a priority. Great news to hear at the start of a New Year.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.