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Tag: Covid-19 vaccination

  • British govt. considers U-turn on vaccine mandate for health workers

    British govt. considers U-turn on vaccine mandate for health workers

    The British government say it is considering whether to scrap mandatory Coronavirus vaccines for frontline health and social care workers in the light of the less severe Omicron variant.

    Ministers had been facing pressure to put back the requirement for staff in England to be double jabbed by April amid fears it would lead to a major staffing crisis.

    The requirement for care home staff to have two doses came into force in November, 2021.

    Frontline NHS and wider social care staff would need their first dose by Thursday in order to be double jabbed by April 1, and there have been protests and calls for the policy to be delayed.

    Simon Clarke, chief secretary to the Treasury, said it was a policy “we have always kept under review’’ and that the decision was made when the “extremely dangerous’ ’Delta variant was dominant.

    He told Sky News “we continue to monitor that situation very closely.

    “What we know about Omicron is much more transmissible but less severe, any decision that is taken this week will reflect that reality.

    “I can’t pre-judge the decision that is going to be made but obviously we do recognise those realities, and that does open a space where we can look at this again.’’

    Health Secretary Sajid Javid is set to meet ministers on the COVID-Operations Cabinet committee on Monday to confirm the U-turn, according to The Daily Telegraph.

    It comes after the Department of Health and Social Care said earlier there were no plans to change the policy following a number of reports suggesting ministers were considering an 11th-hour delay.

    However, Javid said on Tuesday that the policy is being “kept under review’’.

    He said it was “right’’ to reflect on COVID-19 policies but he added that frontline NHS staff should have a COVID-19 jab as a “professional duty’’.

    Clarke said it would be up to health ministers to decide whether the mandatory vaccination policy should remain in place for social care workers should the move be scrapped for NHS staff.

    Nadra Ahmed, chairwoman of the National Care Association, said she was “frustrated’’ and “saddened for the care home staff who had lost their jobs needlessly’’ owing to the introduction of mandatory vaccination.

  • FCTA clarifies allegation of forceful COVID-19 vaccination of staff, visitors

    FCTA clarifies allegation of forceful COVID-19 vaccination of staff, visitors

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday in Abuja clarified that no staff or visitors were being forced to take the COVID-19 vaccines before gaining access to its secretariat.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, made the clarification while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

    Attah, who led the enforcement team to all FCTA Secretariats, Departments and Agencies, said: “every individual must present either a vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test result to gain access to the premises.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that the FCTA on Monday began enforcement of no vaccination no entry into the Area 11 Garki Secretariat.

    As early as 7 a.m., the implementation team and security men manned the entrance of the secretariat.

    NAN correspondent, who monitored the enforcement, observed that many staff and visitors were being turned back.

    Attah however said that considering the fact that the cases of Omicron variant was still surging, stringent measures had to be taken to protect staff and “everyone that has anything to do with the administration’’.

    He explained that the FCT Administration had given staff enough time to choose between any of the options approved to avoid the stress of being turned back at the gate.

    “We have given a full one week for advocacy, and we got a van that went round announcing it.

    “Circulars were also circulated in line with the one earlier issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on the issue.

    “Those who say they don’t want to be vaccinated will get a negative test result.

    “So if you bring your vaccination card or the negative test result, any of the two can suffice.
    “Even if you feel you should not be vaccinated, then get us a negative test result, not more than three days old, and that will grant you access.

    “People thought that we are not serious here, but they have come to let them know that when the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary say something, they mean it.”

    NAN correspondent who monitored the exercise observed that crowd of vaccination seekers; both staff and non-staff had increased at all the approved centres in FCTA.

  • FG orders workers on Grade Level 12 and below to resume Dec 1 with proof of COVID-19 vaccination

    FG orders workers on Grade Level 12 and below to resume Dec 1 with proof of COVID-19 vaccination

    The Federal Government has asked civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below to resume duties on Wednesday, December 1.

    In a circular titled ‘Resumption of duties by Officers on GL 12 and below’ with reference number HCSF/3065/VOL.I/107, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan said the latest directive followed the advice of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19.

    As part of efforts to continue to checkmate the spread of coronavirus in the country, the government had on March 4 extended the work-from-home directive to the affected civil servants till the end of March.

    Eights months after, the current administration directed civil servants to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours.

    “It will be recalled that as part of the measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, officers on GL 12 and below were directed to work from home. Following the advice of the Presidential, Steering Committee on COVID-19, this category of officers are expected to resume duties on Wednesday, December 1, 2021,” the circular read.

    “Furthermore, in line with the recommendation of the Committee on COVID-19, Mr. President has approved the vaccine mandate policy.

    “All Federal Government employees would therefore be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours.”

  • Governors meet today on doctors’ strike, COVID vaccination, PIB, others

    Governors meet today on doctors’ strike, COVID vaccination, PIB, others

    The nation’s 36 Governors are to meet on Wednesday (today) to examine pressing national issues, including the ongoing strike by resident doctors, the planned commencement of the second phase of the COVID- 19 vaccination, among others.

    The Governors will, at the 33rd teleconference meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), also aggregate their views on the Water Resources Bill, pending before the National Assembly and issue a response on the issue to the Water Resources Minister.

    According to a statement by the spokesman of (NGF), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the meeting would equally dwell on the recently signed Petroleum Industry Bill (PPIB, the refund of withholding taxes (WHT) and Stamp Duties, the Nigerian Postal Service Bill, 2021 and issues surrounding the collection of Stamp Duties.

    The statement reads: “Three pro-poor issues will feature prominently on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s 33rd Teleconference meeting, the 10th in 2021 which takes place on Wednesday 18th August 2021.

    “The Director General of the NGF, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru in the invitation to the meeting itemised the National Poverty reduction and growth strategy, the second phase of the Covid 19 vaccination and other health updates, as well as the on-going strike by the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), and the campaign for building a new mindset for a united Nigeria as some of the crucial issues to dominate the meeting.

    “The meeting which promises to be very heavy on solving critical national questions will also dwell on states’ participation in Nigeria Electrification Project and Solar Power Naija, in a presentation by the nation’s Rural Electrification Agency.

    “The Nigerian Security Minting and Printing Company will also address the Forum on how to leverage Modern Security Document Solutions.

    “The Campaign on Building a New Mindset for a United Nigeria will be anchored by Ambassadors of Voice for Change led by Bala Ahmed & Zack Orji

    “Other items on the agenda, according to Mr Okauru, include an update on the refund of withholding taxes (WHT) and Stamp Duties, the Nigerian Postal Service Bill, 2021 & Collection of Stamp Duties, and the recently signed Petroleum Industry Bill where the governors are expected to identify next steps among other issues.

    “The health update by the NGF Health Advisor, Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab will be embroidered by another update on the 2nd Phase of Covid-19 Vaccination by Dr. Faisal Shuaib, while the Gov. Okowa Committee of the NGF will brief governors on its appraisal of the PTF thus far.

    “The NGF Chairman, Dr John Kayode Fayemi’s keynote address to the Association for General & Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMN), where he enjoined doctors to honour they Hippocratic oaths by seeking other means of pushing their demands and avoid resorting to strikes, will round up the health section of the deliberations.’’

  • FG kicks off second phase of COVID-19 vaccination nationwide

    FG kicks off second phase of COVID-19 vaccination nationwide

    The Federal Government on Monday commenced the administration of new vaccines marking the start of the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

    The second phase of the vaccination programme was breathed into life after the US donated over four million doses of the Moderna vaccine.

    Only about one percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, so far.

    The flag off ceremony, held at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha

    Also Present were the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu and the Medical Director of the FMC, Professor Aliyu Ahmed.

    The exercise had earlier been scheduled for August 10 but was postponed.

    Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said the postponement was due to “purely administrative” reasons.

    Apart from the over four million Moderna doses, the government has also taken delivery of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

    The single-shot J&J vaccine was acquired through the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), with support from Afrexim bank.

    The J&J vaccines are expected to be deployed in hard-to-reach areas, to eliminate the need for travel for a second dose.

    More of the J&J vaccines are expected in the country soon.

    According to Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria has procured nearly 40 million doses of the J&J vaccines through AVAT.

  • No deaths, blood clots recorded so far from COVID-19 vaccinations in Nigeria – FG, WHO

    No deaths, blood clots recorded so far from COVID-19 vaccinations in Nigeria – FG, WHO

    The Federal Government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have disclosed that since the covid-19 vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine began on March 15, 2021, there has been no record of deaths and blood clotting.

    The government however stated a total of 8,439 mild adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) have been reported such as pain, swelling at the site of the inoculation, body pains and nausea.

    Also, 52 cases of moderate to severe incidents of AEFI have been reported, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea headaches, dizziness, and allergic reactions.

    It further revealed that five states have the highest records of the AEFI namely: Kaduna (970); Cross River (859); Yobe (541); Kebbi (511) and Lagos (448).

    The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, made these known in Abuja at a briefing on updates on the status of covid-19 vaccination.

    He said: “There has been no death from administration of the vaccine. We have also not diagnosed any case of blood clots related to the administration of the vaccines.

    “Nevertheless, we are working with NAFDAC, NCDC and other relevant agencies to set up a more active surveillance system built on our experience with polio surveillance.

    “As of today, April 16th, 1,071,346 representing 53.2 percent of the eligible persons targeted with the Astrazeneca vaccine have been administered with their first dose in this vaccination phase.

    “In many states, we have completed inoculating frontline health workers and are now offering vaccination to the elderly, particularly those that are 65 years and above.

    “We are glad to be able to progress quickly and offer immunization to more members of the community. Our rollout has been marked by safety, efficiency, best practice and speed.”

    The Country Representative of WHO, Dr Walter Kazardi, added: “Till date, over 200 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered. About 182 cases of thromboembolic events with thrombocytopenia have been reported. If there is a causal link, the events are very rare and the risk is extremely low.

    “More data from regions outside Europe and the UK is needed to fully understand the potential relationship between the vaccinations and blood clot with low platelet count.

    “And no such events have been documented in Nigeria even as we have reached over a million population that have been vaccinated.”

  • Pastor Chris condemns pastors endorsing COVID-19 vaccines

    Pastor Chris condemns pastors endorsing COVID-19 vaccines

    The Founder and President of the Believers LoveWorld Incorporated, aka Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has lashed out at pastors encouraging their members to go take the COVID-19 vaccines.

    The outspoken preacher noted that pastors shouldn’t be making such recommendations.

     

    Oyakhilome made this knowing during a recent virtual church service.

    According to him:”I cannot understand how a minster of the gospel will be waiting for some vaccines to be the solution for the world. Where were your faith? What happened to you? We cannot make such recommendations, it is not our calling. We cannot be used for that. As a minister of the gospel, you should not be used for that. How can you become a minister, a preacher of vaccines? What happened to you? Where is the word of God in your mouth? Do you realize that if you will believe in Christ and in the word of God the way you believe in this vaccine, there will be power in your mouth.

    He made us healers, what is wrong? What happened to you? When did we start making such kind of recommendations to God’s people? For God’s sake, think again. How can they send us to the churches to tell them ‘go take the vaccines’?

     

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Pastor Chris in 2020 lashed out at the government for attempting to regulate the duration of church services.

    He said the number of hours they were imposing on churches was what they had left in the world.

    He said, “We can serve God as he wants us to, not as somebody says we should.

    “I am appalled that some people have the audacity to tell us how many hours we can spend in church. How dare you?

    “What in the world do you think you are? Your time is short. You cannot tell God’s people how long they can spend in church. If you built the building for them and you are saying you are not going to let them enter the building, maybe because you built it.

    “But if you didn’t, you have no right to tell God’s people you’re gonna spend one hour or two hours in church. I tell you, the number of hours you tell them they have in church is the number of hours you have left.”

     

  • Nigerian scientists warn FG against mass COVID-19 vaccination plan

    Nigerian scientists warn FG against mass COVID-19 vaccination plan

    As Nigeria prepared to receive its first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines, two scientists have cautioned the Federal Government against a mass COVID-19 vaccination plan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, in December 2020 revealed that the Federal Government had planned to acquire vaccines worth N400 billion.

    Ehanire had said that the N400 billion would be able to vaccinate 70 per cent of Nigeria’s 200 million population.

    Nigeria had 88,587 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,294 deaths as of Saturday.

    It was against this backdrop that the scientists called for caution in separate interviews with NAN in Ibadan on Saturday.

    A professor of immunology, Ganiyu Arinola, said that rolling out a mass nationwide vaccine campaign might not be the the best use of resources for a resource-poor country like Nigeria.

    Arinola, of the Department of Immunology, University of Ibadan, noted that while no amount of investment on health was a waste,”it is reasonable to spend wisely in this time of economic recession”.

    The immunologist said that mass vaccination alone would not halt the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, adding that the available vaccines do not confer lifelong immunity against the virus.

    “The mere availability of COVID-19 vaccine is insufficient to give broad immunological protection.

    “Efficient vaccines must be safe with little side effects, inexpensive for the target population and widely effective across gender and wide geographical ranges,”he said.

    In terms of its efficacy, Arinola still urged a cautious approach by the authorities.

    “This is not a hundred per cent true of current COVID-19 vaccines, showing that there is room for improvement on them.

    ‘For instance, re-infection is likely because existing vaccines stimulate antibody production which may wane with time.

    “As of now, it will be advisable to be cautious of the use of current COVID-19 vaccines because too many facts are still emerging on the vaccines.

    “In low-resource country like Nigeria, certain individuals will be unqualified for COVID-19 vaccination due to age, immunocompromise status, socio-economic status and other preexisting medical conditions,”he added.

    Asked if the generality of Nigerians would be favourably disposed to the vaccine, the immunologist told NAN that there would likely be divergent views.

    “Some people may disqualify themselves based on religious and cultural beliefs.

    “A vaccine refusal rate greater than 10 per cent could significantly impede attainment of its goal.

    “Among other concerns about COVID-19 vaccination in low resource countries is a question “Do their benefits outweigh the risks or how safe are the existing COVID-19 vaccines?

    “There are reports of adverse reactions and possibilities of COVID-19 not tested in- or safe for use by- some groups of people.

    “People with serious health conditions or weakened immune systems may not benefit from vaccine whose effectiveness is based on host’s active immunity since these people are already immune-compromised or immune-suppressed.

    “Active immunity uses various immune cells involved in the uptake and processing of vaccine antigen before production of antibodies. Other immune cells produce cytokines and other soluble immune factors.

    “This brings to fore “Boosting immunity” How many Nigerians have ideas about his/her immune status or how to boost immunity?

    “It is imperative that immune status of individual is optimal before engaging in vaccination.

    “The Federal Government must think twice before investing in a health venture with such uncertainties,” he said.

    Arinola told NAN that Nigeria should come up with its own strategies to end the pandemic by adopting can its own unique method of fighting the virus.

    “Low-cost, evidence-based and integrated control strategies are primarily needed in the country.

    “In low resource setting like ours, there is need to ensure access to reliable diagnosis in order to determine the true burden of disease in the community.

    “A combination of effective vaccination, treatment, and good hygienic practices will guarantee enhanced protection against COVID-19.

    “There is also need to invest in infrastructure for distribution and handling of COVID-19 vaccine widely on an equitable basis.

    “Also, collaboration at the international, national, regional, and local level is important,” he said.

    In the same vein, Dr Olubusuyi Adewumi, a virologist at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, said that decisions on COVID-19 vaccination must be guided by scientific evidence.

    Adewumi, who noted that the country had not been as hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic as other countries, said that mass vaccination may not be the best strategy for Nigeria.

    “However, the question is how did we arrived at such decision. Was it guided by scientific findings? Can we afford it?,”he queried.

    He added that such monumental decisions must be well thought out and not based on misplaced sentiment.

  • More European Countries Begin Covid 19 Vaccination

    More European Countries Begin Covid 19 Vaccination

    More European Union (EU) nations have kick-start mass Covid-19 vaccinations geared towards putting an end to the global pandemic.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reported days ago that outside the EU, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Serbia have already started the inoculations against the Pandemic.

    European Union member states, including France, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Spain have since launched mass inoculation programs against the novel virus with many countries starting with health care workers.

    The first shipments of the two-dose vaccine from Pfizer arrived across the EU late Friday and early Saturday. Each member nation has been tasked with taking the lead on how to implement the rollout, with three member states — Germany, Hungary and Slovakia — starting vaccinations a day early on Saturday.

    Just hours after the vaccines arrived in Slovakia, authorities began administering their first doses on Saturday evening. Front-line medical staff in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients were among the first to get the vaccine. President Zuzana Caputova was scheduled to get vaccinated on Sunday.

    Slovakia was the second EU country after Hungary to start the vaccination campaign immediately after the arrival of the first doses, upsetting plans for a coordinated rollout on Sunday of the first COVID shots across the 27-nation European Union.

    Millions of initial doses produced
    From Sweden to Cyprus, Lithuania to Italy, the push to get people their first shots is now under way, 11 months after the first cases were reported in Europe. EU leaders have dubbed the launch of the drive “V-Day,” a moment of unity in a pandemic that has killed more than 1.7 million people worldwide.

    Edith Kwoizalla, 101, was one of the first Germans to be vaccinated at a care home in Saxony-Anhalt.

    Elderly population a priority

    Edith Kwoizalla, aged 101, was one of the first Germans to be vaccinated. She took the first of two doses at a care home in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on Saturday, a day before the official launch. German Health Minister Jens Spahn said he expected 1.3 million doses to be delivered by the end of the year, with double that number by the end of January.

    Mobile teams deployed across Germany
    The country is largely relying on mobile teams to distribute the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, such as here at a care home in Grossräschen, in Germany’s eastern Brandenburg state. Most of the more than 400 planned vaccination centers will not be up and running until the next few days.

    The Pfizer/BioNTech is expected to work against the new variant

    The vaccine, developed partly by a German firm, has been snapped up by governments around the world. BioNTech has “scientific confidence” that its coronavirus vaccine will also work on the new variant detected in the UK, company CEO Ugur Sahin told DW. The proteins on the mutated form of the virus were 99% the same as the prevailing virus, he said.

    Hungarian soldiers carry the first shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines at the Del-Pest Central Hospital in Budapest

    Hungary starts a day early
    Hungary began vaccinating health care workers on Saturday, a day ahead of the EU’s planned start date. Hungary has recorded over 316,000 cases and more than 9,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

     

    Polish paramedics vaccinated first
    A Warsaw paramedic was one of the first people to receive the vaccine in Poland on Sunday. The first batch of 10,000 doses was transported from Pfizer’s facility in Belgium to a warehouse in central Poland a day earlier. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called the launch “a great step in fighting the epidemic.”

     

    Politicians aim to ease concerns
    EU leaders and scientists have gone to great lengths to insist the vaccine is safe. In the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Andrej Babis (seen here) was at the head of the line for his vaccination on Sunday. In Vienna, three women and two men over the age of 80 got the vaccine in the presence of Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

     

    ‘I didn’t feel anything’: first Swedish patient
    Sweden, which has received praise and criticism for its looser handling of the pandemic, is expecting an initial batch of 10,000 shots, along with Norway. Denmark expects to have enough shots to initially vaccinate 40,000 people in care homes, followed by health care staff and those people with a high risk of illness. Iceland will receive 10,000 doses early in January.

    Andreas Raounas, 84, becomes the first patient on the island of Cyprus to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

    First doses arrive in Cyprus
    An 84-year-old man became the first patient to receive the coronavirus vaccine in Cyprus. While Europe has some of the best-resourced health care systems in the world, the sheer scale of the effort means some countries are calling on retired medics to help. Other countries have loosened rules for who is allowed to give the injections.

    Vaccinations begin in Austria

    A health care worker at the Hospital Favoriten in Vienna was one of the first in line to receive the vaccine. Austria is rolling the vaccine out through a three-stage program, starting with health care workers and people over the age of 65. Austria has recorded over 350,000 cases and more than 5,800 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

     

    France: A million vaccinations by February
    Mauricette, a 78-year-old French woman, was the first person to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Rene-Muret hospital in Sevran, on the outskirts of Paris. France is aiming to vaccinate the first million people by the end of February. The country has been one of the hardest hit in Europe, with over 2.6 million recorded cases and nearly 63,000 deaths.

     

    Thumbs up in Italy
    Italy began distributing the first batch of 10,000 shots on Sunday at the Niguarda hospital in Milan (seen here). In Rome, a 29-year-old nurse was the first to receive the jab at Rome’s Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases. Health workers were first in line, with those over 80 to follow.

     

    Portugal aims for 10% of the population
    The first phase of Portugal’s vaccine rollout aims to inoculate 10% of the population, with front-line workers and those over 50 with preexisting conditions taking priority. Here, a medical worker receives the vaccine at Santa Maria hospital in Lisbon.

     

    Ambitious rollout in Spain
    Spain is set to receive 350,000 doses from Pfizer-BioNTech per week, with a total of nearly 4.6 million to be delivered over the next three months. The government has said it aims to vaccinate between 15 million and 20 million people in the first half of 2021. Here, a 72-year-old receives the first injection at the Vallecas nursing home in Madrid.

    Source: DW

  • UK begins mass COVID-19 vaccination programme

    UK begins mass COVID-19 vaccination programme

    Britain on Tuesday hailed a turning point in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, as it begins the biggest vaccination programme in the country’s history with a new Covid-19 jab.

    The first patients in line on what has been dubbed “V-Day” — the over-80s, care home workers and at-risk frontline health and social care staff — will roll up their sleeves for an initial dose from early morning.

    They will then require a second jab in 21 days’ time.

    Last week Britain became the first country to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, raising hopes of a breakthrough in the pandemic, which has killed more than 1.5 million worldwide.

    Britain has been one of the worst-affected countries in the world, with more than 61,000 deaths in the outbreak from 1.6 million cases.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who spent days in intensive care with Covid-19 earlier this year, called it a “huge step forward in the UK’s fight against coronavirus”.

    UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who has offered to have the jab on live television to allay public fears, said the roll-out was a “key moment” that would protect the most vulnerable.

    The head of the state-run National Health Service in England, Simon Stevens, said it was a “decisive turning point” against the “greatest health challenge” since the NHS was founded in 1948.

    Regulatory approval for the vaccine was given last Wednesday, sparking a race against time to prepare scores of vaccination centres across the country.

    The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the jab — enough to vaccinate 20 million people — with 800,000 in the first batch.

    Up to four million doses are expected by the end of December.

    – Queen could lead way –
    The mass vaccination drive is a coordinated response by all four nations of the UK — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — which normally set their own health policies.

    The public has been largely favourable to the rapid approval of the vaccine, but ministers and health professionals are aware they still need to combat mistrust.

    The independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency maintains that no corners were cut and its assessment and approval procedures met stringent international norms.

    NHS England said thousands had already been given the jab during trials with no serious side effects