Jonathan Van-Tam has said that Covid-19 is "going to be with humankind forever" despite the approval of a new vaccine for the disease which will be distributed from next week.
The Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK, paving the way for mass vaccination.
However the deputy chief medical officer sounded a note of caution at this evening's Downing Street press briefing, as Boris Johnson warned Britons against letting the virus "run riot" despite the "biological jujitsu of the vaccine".
"I don't think we'll eradicate coronavirus ever, I think it's going to be with humankind forever," Prof Van-Tam said.
"I think we may get to a point where coronavirus becomes a seasonal problem - possibly flu is the kind of way we would learn to live with it. Do I think there will come a big moment where we have a massive party and throw our masks and hand sanitiser? No I don't. Those habits will perhaps persist for many years."
Meanwhile Mr Johnson defended the new three-tier system that came into force in England today, and said: "Until the vaccine is deployed, our plan does rely on all of us continuing to make sacrifices to protect those we love."
"We're no longer resting on the mere hope that we will return to normal next year, in the spring, but rather the sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed and together reclaim our lives."
Follow the latest updates below.
06:47 PM
Watch: Joy and tears as care home residents get to hug relatives for first time in months
Residents of care homes shared their first precious hugs and kisses with relatives since March on Wednesday, after homes were able to give visitors rapid tests for Covid-19 which give results in 30 minutes.
Bob Underhill, an 84-year-old retiree, was reunited with his wife Patricia, 82, who has Alzheimer's after he tested negative for coronavirus.
Both were overcome as they met, then hugged and kissed through their face masks.
Mrs Underhill moved into a home in London in March after breaking her hip, meaning her husband could no longer care for her.
Mr Underhill revealed that he had only seen his wife twice since then, and that being able to meet in person made all the difference compared to his last visit.
06:37 PM
Donald Trump 'livid' with US regulator as UK approves vaccine first
Donald Trump summoned the head of the US vaccine regulator to the White House amid frustration that America had not moved faster with approval, writes Nick Allen in Washington.
Mr Trump was said to be livid that the Food and Drug Administration had yet to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech,, having hoped the US would be the first country to do so.
On Tuesday morning, amid suggestions the UK was close to approval, the in-person presence of Dr Stephen Hahn, Commissioner of the FDA (pictured below), was requested by Mark Meadows, Mr Trump's chief of staff.
In this file photo US President Donald Trump smiles during the first presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic - Saul Loeb/AFP
There has been speculation that Mr Trump would fire him but, after the 90-minute meeting, the FDA said that “Dr Hahn remains FDA Commissioner".
The FDA has been reviewing thousands of pages of technical information on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as it deliberates whether to authorise “emergency use” for high-risk groups.
Key workers will be given priority in second phase of vaccine distribution, says regulator
Key workers are set to be prioritised in the second phase of the vaccine roll out, after official Government guidance called on those working in public services to take precedence, writes Amy Jones.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), that advises ministers, said teachers, transport workers and first responders should be next in line after those who are most at risk from coronavirus.
From next week people will begin to be vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, which was officially approved for use today.
The UK has already ordered 40 million doses of the jab, enough to vaccinate 20 million Britons, which will first go to those in care homes and older age groups first, as well as to healthcare workers and patients with underlying health conditions.
The chairman of the JCVI Professor Wei Shen Lim said “over 99 per cent of those individuals who are at risk of dying from Covid-19" will be protected in the first phase.
However, the JCVI body has encouraged the Government to prioritise people based on their professions once all over-50s have been immunised.
Pfizer Covid vaccine: Truck leaves manufacturing facility in Belgium
A truck leaves Pfizer Manufacturing in Puurs, Belgium, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. British officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Wednesday, greenlighting the world's first shot against the virus that's backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic. (AP Photo/Virginia - Virginia Mayo/AP Photo
05:51 PM
Three-tier system: Boris Johnson 'totally understands frustrations'
"I totally understand people's frustrations with the tier system," Mr Johnson says. "What we are going to do is make sure we are as local and as sensitive as we can possibly be to local achievement and local instance of the disease."
He says mass community testing present the opportunity to "squeeze the disease and kick Covid out".
Jonathan Van-Tam clarifies that social distancing will not be with us "forever and a day" and wants to get back to a normal world, but says personal habits will become enduring for some people.
The press briefing then comes to an end.
05:48 PM
Coronavirus will be with us forever, claims Jonathan Van-Tam
Jonathan Van-Tam encourages Britons to practice the 'three Cs' - closed spaces, close-contact settings and crowded spaces - while urging them to add in duration and volume considerations.
"I don't think we'll eradicate coronavirus ever, I think it's going to be with humankind forever.
"I think we may get to a point where coronavirus becomes a seasonal problem... possibly flu is the kind of way we would learn to live with it. Do I think there will come a big moment where we have a massive party and throw our masks and hand sanitiser? No I don't. Those habits will perhaps persist for many years. And that may be a good thing if we do."
Boris Johnson disagrees - saying "we may want to get back to life as normal".
05:44 PM
Pfizer vaccine: 'Very effective vaccine, very high uptake' would take out 99pc of deaths, says Prof Van-Tam
Sir Simon says that the goal of vaccination is to "protect vulnerable individuals".
Prof Van-Tam says that taken together, the groups on the vaccine list, "a very effective vaccine and very high uptake" would "take out 99 per cent of Covid deaths in the UK. It's not an accident that's how we got to the phase one priority list."
Fielding a question about Brexit, Boris Johnson says he is "very keen to get a deal if we can" and that Europe "knows what the bottom line is" in terms of sovereignty.
On Covid, the PM says: "There will come a moment where we're able to relax the non-pharmaceutical interventions. All the things that are so difficult we will steadily, we hope, be able to take those off."
The Prime Minister says "we're not there yet and there are weeks, months to go before we're in that situation, alas. But thank goodness we now have a vaccine to work with."
05:36 PM
Boris Johnson asked about end date of new tier system
Boris Johnson is asked by Sky's Beth Rigby whether he will still allow the current tier restrictions to lapse in February in light of this being a tougher time of year in terms of respiratory viruses.
"The way forward is not just the steady roll-out of the vaccine, or several vaccines that we've been describing, but also using observation of the tiering plus community testing," Mr Johnson replies.
"We will judge the situation on the basis of the data. For the time being you've got to take it that tiering is going to be a very, very important part of our campaign against coronavirus."
He calls the Liverpool mass testing pilot a "great success" and says local leaders and MPs will play their part.
Prof Van-Tam says he is "quite optimistic but far from certain" about the prospects of future vaccines.
"It's not binary, it does or it doesn't work - it's a percentage that it will take out," he says., explaining that there is so far no 'magic number' for how many people need to have the vaccine to achieve immunity.
05:31 PM
Pfizer vaccine for coronavirus should go to over-80s 'above all'
Boris Johnson says there is "difficulty" in distributing the vaccine to care homes while avoiding wastage, and he says the MHRA has not yet authorised the people distributing the vaccines to care homes to effect the division themselves.
"We certainly want to put it into the groups Simon talked about just now, and above all those over 80 who are the most vulnerable," Mr Johnson says.
Jonathan Van-Tam says comments about "failure" from an ITV reporter are "extremely unfair" considering that the virus has not been in the UK for more than a year.
He says the vaccine is "not a yoghurt that can be put in the fridge and taken out multiple times... We're going to work as fast as we can."
Sir Simon reiterates that care home residents will be part of the first tranche of vaccinations.
05:27 PM
Boris Johnson speech: PM says 'worst thing now would be to relax our guard'
Boris Johnson says the Government will set out a lot more about next summer's A-Level exams tomorrow, and acknowledges there will be changes.
In response to a question from Catherine, a second member of the public, Mr Johnson says "we've got to stick with the guidance" and that it would be a "fatal mistake to respond to this good news by letting the virus run riot again."
Boris Johnson during a media briefing on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Downing Street, London - John Sibley/PA Wire
"We've got a vaccine for Covid that really, really works. When you consider the scale of economic damage, social damage - to say nothing of the cost to life and suffering - it's a fantastic moment.
"The worst thing now would be to relax our guard and think it's game over in the fight against Covid. This is not the end, we have to fight on and continue with the tough measures we've announced today."
05:23 PM
Jonathan Van-Tam: Vaccine effects will take months, not weeks
Jonathan Van-Tam says some of the vaccines in development could still fall by the wayside, and that assured supply "won't all come at once". He says the UK needs to manage this as well as it can for now.
"We need people to take it," he says. "This vaccine isn't going to help you if you don't take it, and you will need two doses of this vaccine and most of the others to get full protection.
"We don't know if this vaccine will prevent transmission, or any of them. We have to wait for the science to tell us, although we are very hopeful."
He says that we have to be patient to see the "real live effects" on transmission, deaths and hospitalisations. Prof Van Tam warns that roll-out won't be instant, as 30 million people are already on the Phase One list. He says the process will take "months not weeks".
"For now, the other measures - the tier measures, the social distancing - have to stay in place," he says. "If we abandon caution, all you're going to do is create a tidal wave of infections and that will make it harder. Nobody wants social distancing, we're fed up of it. No one wants lockdowns and the damage they do.
"But you have to take the vaccine if it is offered to you. Low uptake will almost certainly make restrictions last longer."
05:20 PM
Jonathan Van Tam: 'Be delighted, but patient and realistic'
Jonathan Van-Tam says he was "quite emotional this morning" when he heard how the MHRA "very meticulously got to the conclusions about the vaccine".
"What a momentous journey and international effort it has been," he says. "Discovery by two scientists who originally lived in Turkey, development by a German biotech company, involvement of a massive US pharmaceutical giant and then involvement of our own UK MHRA to bring home to the goods in terms of the UK.
"What a fantastic journey. And I gave you the train analogy many weeks ago now. The train has now slowed down safely. It has now stopped in the station and the doors are opened. That was the authorisation by the MHRA.
"Now we need people to get on that train and travel safety to those destinations. This train is going to stop several times on the way, it's going to have to reach all parts of the UK. There will be trains that come behind it and that is going to take time. Everyone needs to be delighted with the news today, but patient and realistic about how this rolls out."
05:18 PM
Pfizer vaccine optimism must be tempered, says NHS chief
"As even more vaccine becomes available we will be able to switch on large vaccination centres across the country," Sir Simon says.
"In a nutshell this is going to be a phased programme. We the NHS, your GP or your hospital, the NHS will contact you if you are ready to be offered the vaccination. Today of course is a great optimism but it needs to be tempered with realism."
He says the NHS has a "fantastic track record" around vaccine delivery, but notes this is the first roll-out of this particular vaccine anywhere in the world.
05:16 PM
Covid Christmas must involve us all being 'very careful', says NHS chief
Sir Simon Stevens says the second doses of the vaccine in January have to be reserved for those getting the first dose in December.
"This reemphasises the point that we need to be very careful through December and into January and then as vaccination expands to the wider population," he says.
"In terms of how - the vaccine that has been approved for the NHS to deploy today, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, has been independently shown to be medically safe but it is logistically complicated. We have to move it around the country in a carefully controlled way, initially around -70 degrees centigrade or thereabouts, and then there are a limited amount of further movements that we are allowed by the regulator to make."
Sir Simon says the phasing of delivery will involve 50 'hospital hubs' starting to offer the vaccine next week to the over-80s, care home staff and others identified by the JVCI.
He says these patients will typically be people who were already down to attend outpatient appointments, which will eventually be followed by over 1,000 vaccination centres in due course.
05:13 PM
Pfizer coronavirus vaccine: Over-80s, those in care homes and frontline staff will receive jab first
Simon Stevens says it has been clearly recommended that the first people who should be offered the vaccine "are those at the highest risk, together with those who look after them".
He says this will start with over-80s, those in care homes, plus some of the frontline and social care staff looking after them and says there has been an excellent response.
He adds this will be extended "to many more people across the country" in the New Year.
05:11 PM
New tier rules and sacrifices needed until vaccine, says Boris Johnson
"Until the vaccine is deployed our plan does rely on all of us continuing to make sacrifices to protect those we love," Mr Johnson says.
"Please continue to follow the rules where you live, remember 'hands, face, space', and if you live in a Tier 3 area where community testing will be made available, please take part in that community testing.
"Together these steps are, for now, the surest way to protect yourselves and those you live. And by reducing the transmission of the virus you help deescalate your area to a lower level of restrictions, as vaccines and testing take an ever larger share of the burden.
"We're no longer resting on the mere hope that we will return to normal next year, in the spring, but rather the sure and certain knowledge that we will succeed and together reclaim our lives and all the things about our lives that we love."
The Prime Minister thanks the scientists before handing over to Simon Stevens.
05:09 PM
Boris Johnson speech: 'There will be immense logistical challenges'
Boris Johnson says the NHS has prepared for the biggest vaccination plan in the history of the UK, which will begin from next week.
"The first phase will include care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable," he says.
"But there are immense logistical challenges. The vaccine has to be stored at -70 degrees, each person needs two injections, three weeks apart. So it will inevitably take some months until all of the vulnerable are protected, long, cold months.
"So it's all the more vital that as we celebrate this scientific achievement we're not carried away with overoptimism or fall into the naive belief that the struggle is over. We have to stick to our winter plan, a comprehensive plan to protect the vulnerable, keep education and the economy going, and use testing and vaccines to move much closer to normal life by spring."
05:07 PM
Boris Johnson praises 'biological jujitsu' of vaccine
Boris Johnson is joined by deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam and Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England.
"It is almost a year since humanity has been tormented by Covid, all the time we've been waiting and hoping for the search lights of science to pick out our enemy and stop making us ill.
"They've used the virus itself to perform a biological jujitsu to turn the virus on itself in the form a vaccine, an idea that I think was pioneered by Edward Jenner in 1796.
"And today we can announce that the Government has accepted the recommendation to approve the Pfizer/BioNTec vaccine after months of clinical trials involving thousands of people."
05:01 PM
UK coronavirus cases rise by 16,170, and deaths 648
The Government has confirmed a further 648 deaths with coronavirus and a further 16,170 cases.
The seven-day rolling average of cases is down by 18.3 per cent, with the seven-day death average down by 2.8 per cent.
Today's figures bring the total number of UK cases to 1,643,086, and the Government's death toll to 59,699.
04:51 PM
Boris Johnson press conference: PM to address the nation
Boris Johnson will lead a press briefing in about 10 minutes, in which he will discuss England's new tiered system and today's breakthrough with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
Watch live at the top of this blog from 5pm.
04:43 PM
Pfizer vaccine: Most Britons 'very' or 'fairly 'confident over safety, but oppose compulsory jabs
A snap poll from YouGov shows that 27 per cent of Britons surveyed are 'very' confident the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is safe, with a further 43 per cent of respondents saying they are 'fairly confident'.
Eleven per cent said they are not very confident, while nine per cent do not feel confident at all that the vaccine is safe to take.
Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock arrives at Downing Street - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photo
The public overwhelmingly supports the idea of the Health Secretary being vaccinated live on TV – 66 per cent support the idea, versus the 12 per cent who oppose.
And the respondents narrowly oppose compulsory vaccination against Covid, by a margin of 44 per cent to 37 per cent.
04:35 PM
Pfizer vaccine UK approval: Your Covid jab questions answered
On Wednesday morning, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the Pfizer Covid vaccine for use in the UK, with the roll-out of the vaccine expected to get underway in the second week of December.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the news means "by spring we will be through this," adding that that the roll-out will begin “early next week”.
The Telegraph understands the Armed Forces and NHS have begun urgent preparations for the distribution of the vaccine for the first weekend of December.
Prior to Pfizer vaccine's approval, the Telegraph's Science Editor, Sarah Knapton, answered your questions on when you could be offered the vaccine, how the Government plans to roll it out and much more.
Rapid Covid tests for visitors to be rolled out in Scottish care homes this month
Rapid coronavirus testing is to be rolled out across Scotland for care home visitors from mid-December, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
It is hoped that the expanded use of lateral flow tests - which can give results within 45 minutes - will allow more people to spend time with loved ones ahead of Christmas.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon delivers updates to the Covid-19 five-level system in Scotland at Holyrood - Andrew Milligan/WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Frist Minister said trials would be launched at 15 Scottish care homes, in five council areas, next week ahead of a national rollout within a fortnight.
However, doubts have been raised about a similar scheme in England, with one council warning providers not to use the tests due to concerns about accuracy.
Coronavirus news from around the world - in pictures
Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is facing trial for allegedly breaking coronavirus restriction - Victoria Jones/PA Wire A man wearing a protective mask walks past a mural during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto - Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP A model tries Golden protective face mask design of silver master Sabri Demirci for Coronavirus at his silver shop in Istanbul, Turkey - Erdem Sahin/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Bob Underhill, 84, and his wife Patricia, 82, suffering from Alzheimer's, kiss through a face mask as they are allowed to visit with physical contact for the first time at The Chiswick Nursing Centre, which has introduced a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test with results ready in thirty minutes, - Kevin Coombs/Reuters
03:57 PM
'Vaccine breakthrough is perfect timing for Britain and for Boris'
A few weeks ago at one of his Downing Street press conferences Boris Johnson said that when a vaccine came on stream it would be like the sound of a bugle signalling the arrival of the cavalry to rescue us all, writes Patrick O'Flynn.
Many of us found the metaphor trite and irritating – just another empty promise to be filed alongside the world class test and trace system that was going to facilitate a “whack-a-mole” strategy to prevent local outbreaks spreading or the pledge to turn the tide and send coronavirus packing inside 12 weeks (that one was from in mid-March).
But today’s news that the 95 per cent effective Pfizer vaccine has cleared its regulatory hurdles and is going to be rolled out from next week reminds us that even in this grimmest of years good news is sometimes permitted.
Oddly enough, now that vaccination is becoming a reality rather than another windy promise, Mr Johnson’s imagery suddenly seems bang on the money.
With at least two further effective vaccines also in the pipeline and a robust NHS vaccine roll-out plan apparently far advanced we, the weary and besieged British people, can at last be confident that salvation is at hand.
Undated handout photo issued by BioNTech SE 2020 of the coronavirus vaccine being produced by BioNTech - BioNTech SE 2020/PA Wire
Read more: Approval of jab has justified the embattled PM's faith
03:42 PM
Closing time: London's restaurateurs are leaving the city in the wake of Covid for pastures new
There’s no denying that this year has been incredibly tough on the hospitality industry, writes Emilee Tombs. Between two national lockdowns, furlough schemes to navigate, and unprecedented loss of earnings, it’s a wonder so many restaurants have survived the pandemic, and indeed there are many that haven’t.
And yet a small collection have managed to turn a terrible situation into an opportunity. Lockdowns have forced some to leave behind the bright lights of London and set up in the countryside or by the coast.
Ivan Tisdall-Downes and Imogen Davis have done just this. The pair opened Native in 2016, after spending their post-university years selling jams and chutneys at London food markets. Having grown up in rural Northamptonshire with parents who owned a falconry and championed nose-to-tail eating before it was fashionable, Imogen had always been comfortable working with game and wild food.
Matt Hancock: 'If vaccine is short term, we can re-procure'
In response to a question from Labour's Angela Eagle, Matt Hancock said that vaccines could be procured again if they need to be.
The speed at which we can continue this roll-out will be determined by the speed at which Pfizer can manufacture and whether the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine is approved by the MHRA, of which we have a hundred million orders.
If this vaccine is only short-term, one of the reasons that we have 357 million doses from seven different vaccines is to be able to vaccinate another further doses if that is needed in due course.
And whether that's through re-procurement of one of the existing vaccines or by switching to a different vaccine if that is clinically appropriate, that is absolutely part of the potential future plans that we have under consideration but it's too early to know the answers to that question.
03:19 PM
Pfizer vaccine approved after 'rigorous trials': Full report
Britain is to begin vaccinating frontline workers against coronavirus, after the UK medicines regulator gave temporary approval to the Pfizer jab.
The Army will begin delivering supplies within hours with the first injections of NHS staff taking place next week.
Britain has ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, but only 10 million vials are expected to be available before the end of the year, with an initial batch of 800,000.
The emergency approval means that Britain will be ahead of the US in receiving the jab even though it was developed using US government funding.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said today: "The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer/BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for use.
The EU has criticised Britain’s world-first approval of the Pfizer and BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine, writes James Crisp.
German health minister Jens Spahn said after a meeting of EU health ministers: “The idea is not that we're the first, but the idea is to have safe and effective vaccines in the pandemic and that we can create, confidence, and nothing is more important than competence, with respect to vaccines that trust in vaccines is important."
“We prefer to have a regularl conditional procedure, using a tried and tested procedure. That could lead to some difference in timing.
“BioNTech is a European development funded by the European Union and it shows that a product from the European Union is so good that it is authorised so quickly in the UK, that in this crisis what is best is European and international cooperation."
The European Medicines Agency said its procedure was based on more evidence and required more checks than the emergency procedure chosen by Britain.
The agency said yesterday it would decide by 29 December whether to provisionally authorise the vaccine from US drugmaker Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech.
02:59 PM
Latest from the lobby
Boris Johnson could be prepared to be vaccinated against coronavirus live on TV - but only if it did not prevent someone more in need of a jab from receiving one, his press secretary has said.
Allegra Stratton told reporters: "We all know the character of the Prime Minister, I don't think it would be something that he would rule out.
"But what we also know is that he wouldn't want to take a jab that should be for somebody who is extremely vulnerable, clinically vulnerable, and who should be getting it before him."
Ms Stratton was not drawn on claims made by Matt Hancock that Brexit has helped the UK approve the Pfizer vaccine more quickly, and also confirmed there will be no sanctions for the 55 Tory MPs who rebelled against the Government's tier system last night.
'Levelling up' will address health inequalities beyond vaccine, promises Health Secretary
Matt Hancock says that if vaccine manufacturers "do it to make a profit, if they do it save lives, that's fine by me".
Labour's Chris Bryant says that while Advent always starts with good news, "the poorest communities have suffered most" throughout the pandemic, and calls for "real equity across the whole of the country".
Matt Hancock says his point not only applies to the vaccination process, but will apply to health issues after Covid.
He says that the Government's levelling up agenda must make sure health inequalities are addressed.
02:38 PM
Matt Hancock says Government proposes to test students on campus return
Karl McCartney asks what steps Matt Hancock is taking to prevent a rise in infections when students return to university campuses in January.
The Health Secretary says Mr McCartney is "absolutely right" to ask his question, and says the Government proposes to "use testing to allow students to return safely".
He says it is "far better to work together, and only because of the massive testing capacity that the Government has built up that this is possible".
02:36 PM
Matt Hancock promises to promote 'phenomenal' York contact tracing model
Labour's Rachel Maskell congratulates the scientific community on asks Matt Hancock whether he will consider the "York model" of contact tracing.
"It's been a phenomenal success story where precision contact tracing interviews have reduced that rate right down," she says.
"They need the information on day one, but they also need to make sure they get payment and support for people isolating. Will people follow that model?"
Matt Hancock says the model will not only be followed, but "promoted" by the Government.
"The figures in York are coming right down, I pay tribute to everyone in York and it's an example of the national and local systems working together," he says.
02:29 PM
Matt Hancock: Suppression and vaccine has been the strategy all along
"Suppressing the virus using these restrictions until a vaccine came along has been the strategy all along," Mr Hancock says.
"We can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel much brighter, because we know we've got a vaccine.
02:23 PM
Tier 3 areas' residents must follow the rules, says Matt Hancock
Matt Hancock says the way to get the virus under control in Tier 3 regions including Kent and Medway is for residents to "follow the rules".
Tracy Brabin, MP for Batley and Spen, says that Tier 3 areas get "advice, rather than boots on the ground" or Army support and asks whether mass testing will be rolled out by February 2021.
Matt Hancock said his team is working with Ms Brabin's council to provide £14 per head for testing and "logistical support [to Kirklees] with the armed forces".
02:17 PM
Jeremy Hunt congratulates Hancock on 'massive goal' for the country
Jeremy Hunt says that Matt Hancock has managed to "score a massive goal for the country" and said that it will encourage other countries
However he proceeds to ask about people with learning difficulties, who are at higher risk of dying from Covid, asking if the Health Secretary can "redouble his efforts to make sure they are reunited with their families" for Christmas.
Mr Hancock responds by saying that those with learning difficulties will be offered a vaccine at the "appropriate" point in the prioritisation list.
02:01 PM
Matt Hancock: All MPs can help to promote mass testing
Matt Hancock says that with the roll-out of mass testing and imminent vaccination, all MPs have a role in which they can promote these.
"I am sure communities represented across the House all across the country can benefit from this roll-out," he says.
He says he will promote this public health message "right across the House", and says that if people are contacted by the NHS and there is a vaccine available, they should "just say yes".
01:58 PM
Matt Hancock: It is not yet known what impact vaccine will have on epidemic spread
Matt Hancock says he stands with Jonathan Ashworth "in saying that vaccinations save lives". He offers to appear together - and be vaccinated together - with the shadow health secretary.
He says that there will be a public information campaign around vaccinations, and the best thing to support tackling health inequalities will be to "reach all parts of all communities".
Mr Hancock says he does not yet know what impact the vaccine will have on transmission, and he doesn't know whether vaccines will help people to circumvent the need to self-isolate.
He says that he will "have to see how the vaccination programme impacts directly on the epidemic" before lifting restrictions.
01:53 PM
Jonathan Ashworth asks if Government will consider route map out of restrictions
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, says that he will "stand alongside the Health Secretary on any platform" to show that the parties are united on a vaccine, which he describes as "fantastic news".
Mr Ashworth says that "dangerous myths circulate on social media" and repeats Labour's offer to curb online harms around misinformation.
He says that vaccination rates can be lower in poorer communities, asking Mr Hancock to ensure that BAME groups, the poorest and most vulnerable "don't miss out".
Mr Ashworth also asks if the Health Secretary will consider a route map out of restrictions, and at what point vaccination could lead to herd immunity.
01:49 PM
Matt Hancock: 'This is a day to remember in a year to forget'
"This is an important step but we are not there yet. We must keep playing our part," Mr Hancock says, urging Britons to "remember the basics - like hands, face, space, and get a test".
Delivering more good news, Mr Hancock says he is "thrilled" to allow care home visits for those who have tested negative for Covid-19.
He describes seeing loved ones as "so precious to so many", and says that the care home changes are only possible through the UK's testing capacity and national and local teams working side by side.
"Our strategy of suppressing the virus until a vaccine can make us safe - that strategy is working," he says. "And I'm delighted that we will be able to see families and friends come together over Christmas.
"Mr Speaker, this is a day to remember in - frankly - a year to forget. We're not there yet so let's keep our resolve, keep doing our bit to keep people safe until science can make us free."
01:47 PM
There will be challenges and complications, says Matt Hancock
Matt Hancock cautions that the deployment of the vaccine will be one of the biggest logistical challenges the UK has faced.
"It will be difficult," he says. "There will be challenges and complications. But I know that the NHS is equal to the task. Rolling out the vaccine -free at the point of delivery, not on the ability to pay - is in the finest spirit of the NHS, and I'm delighted to confirm the NHS will be able to start vaccinating from next week.
"The whole purpose of the vaccine is to protect people from Covid so we can get lives back to normal. So we will prioritise the groups who are at greatest risk."
He says the vaccine is particularly challenging to deploy, and the bulk of vaccinations will be in the New Year.
Mr Hancock says anyone offered a vaccine should "protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities".
He confirms vaccines will be deployed in three different ways: through 'hospital hubs', via community settings including GPs and eventually pharmacies, and vaccination centres at conference venues and sport stadiums where it is possible to vaccinate large numbers of people.
01:43 PM
Coronavirus vaccine 'is a monumental step forward'
The Health Secretary reasserts that any vaccine must go through a "rigorous process" of checks and says that he is "delighted" the MHRA has approved the Pfizer/BioNTec vaccine.
This is a monumental step forward. It's no longer if there's going to be a vaccine, it's when.
In our battle against the virus help is on its way. Today is a triumph for all those who believe in science, a triumph for ingenuity and a triumph for humanity. And I'd like to thank everyone who've played their part in this achievement.
Thanks to their effort I can confirm the UK is the first country in the world to have a clinically approved coronavirus vaccine for supply. And now our task is to make fruits of the use of this scientific endeavour to save lives.
Mr Hancock says 40 million doses of the vaccine are pre-ordered, enough for 20 million. He confirms that batch testing has been completed this morning for the first deployment of 800,000 vaccine doses.
01:41 PM
Matt Hancock: 'Today marks a new chapter'
Matt Hancock is on his feet in the House of Commons to make his statement.
"Today marks a new chapter in our fight against this virus. Ever since the pandemic hit our shores almost a year ago we have known that a vaccine would be critical to set us free.
"So all through this arduous year - and it has been an arduous year - while we've been working night and day to fight the virus and keep it under control, we've been striving too to develop the vaccines that can give us hope and release the curbs on our freedom that have bound us for so long."
He praises the "incredible work" of Business Secretary Alok Sharma, the Vaccines Task Force and its chair Kate Bingham. Mr Hancock says the UK has backed seven vaccines and orders 357 million doses.
01:38 PM
Scotland coronavirus update: Sturgeon urges Scots to 'think very carefully' about Christmas
Speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing, Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, asked Scots to "think very carefully" about their plans over the Christmas period in light of the approval of a coronavirus vaccine.
"Now that we've got that vaccine firmly in view, I would encourage everybody just to think very carefully about whether you want to take any unnecessary risks with family members at Christmas," she said.
"Or if you want to get through this Christmas with the prospect of being able to see family members much more normally in the spring of next year."
While urging continued compliance, Ms Sturgeon said she was doing it with "a lighter feeling in my heart and a bigger smile on my face today than I've been able to muster for the last nine months".
01:30 PM
Boris Johnson: Don't get hopes up too soon on speed of vaccine roll out
Boris Johnson has urged people not to get carried away - despite news that the first Covid vaccine will be rolled out from next week.
The Prime Minister says at this stage it is "very, very important that people do not get their hopes up too soon about the speed at which we will be able to roll out this vaccine.
"We will be rolling it out as fast as we possibly can. But that's why I put so much emphasis on the tiering system and mass community testing as we roll out the vaccine over the next few weeks."
01:26 PM
Twitter tiff between Business Secretary and German Ambassador
Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, has praised the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine breakthrough as "the day the UK led humanity's charge against this disease".
The UK was the first country to sign a deal with Pfizer/BioNTech - now we will be the first to deploy their vaccine
To everyone involved in this breakthrough: thank you
In years to come, we will remember this moment as the day the UK led humanity’s charge against this disease
However Andreas Michaelis, the German Ambassador to the UK, has taken issue with this - and said "I really don't think this is a national story".
Why is it so difficult to recognize this important step forward as a great international effort and success. I really don't think this is a national story. In spite of the German company BioNTech having made a crucial contribution this is European and transatlantic. https://t.co/SE4XDG4P0o
Bonmarche collapses again as retail bloodbath escalates
Bonmarche has collapsed into administration for the second time in just over a year, putting more than 1,500 jobs under threat.
Administrators RSM said all 225 stores will remain open and there would be no redundancies yet as it sought to strike a rescue deal.
The discount clothing chain fell into administration in October 2019 before administrators agreed a rescue deal with retailer Peacocks. That meant 30 stores closed just before Christmas last year, affecting hundreds of jobs.
Bonmarche in Farnborough, advertising its closing down sale, on the day non-essential shops in England open their doors to customers for the first time after the second national lockdown end - Adam Davy/PA
Bonmarche's demise marks the latest amid a retail bloodbath sparked off by the pandemic.
About 25,000 jobs are at risk after Sir Philip Green's Topshop empire Arcadia called in administrators on Monday and Debenhams starting a liquidation process on Tuesday after JD Sports pulled out of a possible rescue.
'I'm excited, happy and hopeful' - Telegraph health reporters on Pfizer vaccine approval
The UK has formally authorised the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for roll out, with the NHS poised to begin vaccinating as early as Monday.
For The Telegraph's Global Health Security reporters, the pandemic has consumed much of their lives since first reporting on it in early January.
"If you told me at that point that within a year we would have a safe and effective vaccine... I genuinely don't think I would have believed you" said Sarah Newey, Global Health Security correspondent.
Anne Gulland, Deputy Editor of Global Health Security hopes this good news means "a way out of the pandemic" with more good news to come.
Though they are cautiously optimistic, "we need to convince people to take the vaccine because there are a lot of people who are worried about that", says Global Health Security correspondent Jennifer Rigby.
12:45 PM
Vaccine could be under threat from organised crime groups, warns Interpol
Interpol has today warned of the global threat presented by organised groups following the authorisation of the Pfizer/BioNTec vaccine, including fake products and potential supply thefts.
"As governments are preparing to roll out vaccines, criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains," said Juergen Stock, head of the France-based policing agency.
"Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives," he said.
Interpol's cybercrime unit recently investigated a total of 3,000 websites linked to online pharmacies selling illicit drugs and other medical products, of which 1,700 also used phishing techniques to try to trick people into handing over personal data, or other malicious software.
"It is important to be vigilant, be sceptical, and be safe, as offers which appear too good to be true usually are," the agency said.
12:39 PM
Is there a priority list for the Pfizer vaccine?
Care home residents and their carers should be the first people to receive the new Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, according to official advice.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises ministers, said vaccines should be prioritised for the the elderly and health workers. The group have published their list of who they believe should get the vaccine first.
Explaining the priorities for who will get the vaccine, chairman of the JCVI Professor Wei Shen Lim said: "Vaccines are offered to protect people who are most at risk from dying of Covid-19, as well as to protect health and social care services, because by doing so we also protect lives."
Brexit has helped UK become first to authorise vaccine, claims Matt Hancock
Matt Hancock has claimed that the EU moves "more slowly" in approving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and that while the necessary safety checks had been undertaken, the UK has been able to move more quickly since January.
Mr Hancock told Times Radio: "The reason we've been able to move this fast, and the UK is the first country in the world to have a clinically authorised vaccine, the reason is twofold.
"Firstly, because the MRHA has done a great job of working with the company to look at that data as it's come through and do things in parallel, rather than one after the other as they normally would, that's the first reason.
"The second reason is because, whilst until earlier this year we were in the European Medicines Agency (EMA), because of Brexit we've been able to make a decision to do this based on the UK regulator, a world-class regulator, and not go at the pace of the Europeans, who are moving a little bit more slowly.
"We do all the same safety checks and the same processes, but we have been able to speed up how they're done because of Brexit."
But MHRA chief June Raine told a Downing Street press conference that the approval was made using provisions under European law, which still binds the UK until the end of the year.
12:24 PM
Boris Johnson says Government support compares favourably 'to everywhere else in the world'
Boris Johnson says that "hard to reach" self-employed people are supported in the form of the increase to Universal Credit.
"When you look at the overall level of support the Government has given to people in this country, it compares favourably to everywhere else around the world," he says.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson wearing a face mask because of the coronavirus pandemic leaves number 10 Downing Street in central London on December 2, 2020, - Justin Tallis/AFP
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, says the Government has "U-turned on almost everything else" and calls him to provide more support to the three million "excluded" self-employed in the UK, including eight he claims have taken their lives in the space of the last 10 days.
"We've abandoned nobody," Mr Johnson insists. "We've announced nearly £400m to support vulnerable children and their families, increased Universal Credit, increased local housing allowance, provided billions more to local authorities to help those who are hard to reach.
He says the "best way" to support the self-employed is through stimulating the economy.
12:19 PM
Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer clash over retail and abstention
Boris Johnson says it is a "bit much" for Sir Keir to "attack the economic consequences of the fight against coronavirus" after voting against the tiered system. "How can he attack the economic consequences when he won't even support measures to open up the economy?"
"When I abstain I come to the House and explain myself," Sir Keir says. "When the Prime Minister abstains he runs away to Afghanistan and gives the taxpayer a £20,000 bill.
"On the question of jobs there are serious questions that need to be answered about the collapse of these businesses. This isn't an isolated incident." He notes more than 200,000 retail jobs have been lost in 2020.
Boris Johnson said he would "take him more seriously" if he had voted for the tier system, and says the Government is introducing "sensible tiering measures" before reeling off some of his manifesto committments.
Capping off a terse exchange, he goes on to attack Sir Keir's record on "telling his troops to abstain", and says "Captain Hindsight is rising up the ranks to become General Indecision. He dithers, we get on with the job."
12:15 PM
Boris Johnson says anti-vaxxers 'totally wrong in their approach'
Sir Keir Starmer notes that Labour has called for legislation to clamp down on "life-threatening, highly dangerous misinformation" shared by those who are against vaccines.
"We are of course working to tackle all kinds of disinformation across the internet," Mr Johnson says. "He's right to single out the anti-vaxxers and those who I think are totally wrong in their approach and he's right to encourage the takeup of vaccines across the country."
Mr Johnson says that the Government will soon publish its paper on the topic of online harms.
Sir Keir says that the vaccine will come "too late to many who've lost their jobs already" as he refers to the collapse of the Arcadia Group and Debenhams "at the worst possible time".
He asks what Mr Johnson will do now to protect the jobs and pensions of those affected.
"We're looking at what we can do to protect all the jobs that have been lost across the country," Mr Johnson responds. He says the Government will do "everything it can" to restore the UK's High Streets.
12:12 PM
Don't get your hopes up over speed of vaccine distribution, says Boris Johnson
Sir Keir asks Boris Johnson when all people in the top two priority groups can expect to be vaccinated.
The Prime Minister says at this stage it is "very, very important that people do not get their hopes up too soon about the speed at which we will be able to roll out this vaccine.
"We will be rolling it out as fast as we possibly can. But that's why I put so much emphasis on the tiering system and mass community testing as we roll out the vaccine over the next few weeks."
Sir Keir presses Mr Johnson further about the ability of the Government to distribute the vaccine rapidly to care homes.
The Prime Minister accepts there are "logistical challenges to be overcome" to ensure access for vulnerable people, and says that the development of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine is "also important".
12:08 PM
Boris Johnson: Mandatory vaccines 'not how we do things'
Boris Johnson said that while he "strongly urges people to take up the vaccine", it is "not part of our culture or ambition in this country to make vaccines mandatory. That's not how we do things."
Sir Keir Starmer also describes the licencing of the vaccine as "fantastic news".
"This pandemic has caused so much grief and so much loss but we're now a big step closer to the end of the tunnel, and can I express my thanks to all the scientists who've worked on this and everyone who's worked on the trials."
Sir Keir says that whatever the differences across the House of Commons, all MPs have a duty to play their part and reassure the public about the safety of the vaccine.
He says that Labour understands around 800,000 doses will be available next week, and asks Boris Johnson who he expects to receive the vaccine next week.
Mr Johnson says the priority list take in care home residents and carers, those over the age of 80, and frontline health and social care workers, followed by those over 75, over 70, and the clinically extremely vulnerable.
"This is unquestionably good news but it is not the end of the story. It is not the end of our national struggle and that is why it is very important the package of moderate but tough measures the House voted for last night - the tiering system - is followed because that's how we will continue to beat the virus."
12:04 PM
Boris Johnson welcomes 'fantastic news' of vaccine approval
"Mr Speaker, I know that the whole House will want to join me in welcoming the fantastic news that the MHRA has formally authorised the Pfizer vaccine for Covid-19," Mr Johnson says.
"The vaccine will begin to be made available across the UK from next week. I would like to pay tribute to and to thank all of those people who have made this possible.
"It is the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get our economy moving again."
11:56 AM
PMQs live: Boris Johnson faces Sir Keir Starmer as vaccine approved
11:50 AM
Wild Wednesday in pictures, as England begins to reopen
11:34 AM
More than 2,500 US virus deaths in 24 hours - the highest total since late April
The United States, the country hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic and in the throes of a surge in cases, on Tuesday registered more than 2,500 deaths in a 24-hour period, the highest total since late April, Johns Hopkins University said.
More than 180,000 new infections were recorded, according to real-time data provided by the Baltimore-based university at 8:30 pm (01:30 GMT Wednesday).
The last time the daily death toll was higher than Tuesday's total of 2,562 was in late April, at the height of the pandemic's first wave.
The number of hospitalisations in the United states hit 99,000 on Tuesday, a new record, according to the Covid Tracking Project. The situation is particularly dire in several Midwestern states, including Indiana and South Dakota.
Wales coronavirus measures will include immunisation card for vaccine
This from Welsh health minister Vaughan Gethin:
Those receiving a Covid-19 vaccination will be given a credit card-sized NHS Wales immunisation card which will have the vaccine name, date of immunisation and batch number of each of the doses given handwritten on them.
These will act as a reminder for a second dose and for the type of vaccine, and it will also give information about how to report side effects.
The measures have already been labelled as an 'ID card' by some outlets.
However the civil liberties organisation Big Brother Watch said that "statements so far do not indicate this is anything like an ID card and will not be requested by any authorities. If this changes, we'd of course take action."
11:18 AM
'Wild Wednesday' as shops, pubs and gyms reopen under tier system
Shops, gyms and pubs have reopened as England's new tier system came into effect, with retailers preparing for what has been called 'Wild Wednesday'.
As the national lockdown came to an end, shoppers were seen queuing outside stores in Oxford Street and Birmingham from as early as 5am in a bid to do some Christmas shopping.
Fitness fans also headed for the gym at midnight while others had haircuts at 1am as England got its first taste of freedom since early November, in what has become known online as 'Wild Wednesday'.
England's new tier system came into effect at midnight on Tuesday, with 99 per cent of the nation entering the toughest Tier 2 and 3 restrictions.
People in the tougher tiers are banned from all indoor socialising with other households apart from over the Christmas period, but are now able to visit shops and pubs as long as they serve a "substantial meal".
Pfizer vaccine approval saw 'no corners cut', say regulators
The head of the regulator that approved the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine said that "no corners had been cut" in assessing it's safety.
The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the vaccine, which will be made available "from next week".
But Dr June Raine, head of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said that while a rolling regulatory process had been conducted as the vaccine was developed, standards had always been maintained.
She told a Downing Street press conference: "That doesn't mean that any corners have been cut, none at all."
More than 1,000 pages of data had been examined, she said.
Pfizer vaccine: More reaction from experts and public figures
Romilly Greenhill, UK Director at The ONE Campaign
"This is welcome news for people everywhere - which potentially marks the beginning of the end of the pandemic.
"But we will not properly protect people anywhere until we get vaccines everywhere. The epidemiology is straightforward - to be safe in our own towns and cities we need to ensure that people across the world are also being vaccinated."
Prof Stephen Evans, Pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
"Today is a good .news day. However, we do have to acknowledge several key things that are not being said by everyone. We will not be able to change distancing, mask wearing etc for quite some time - months at least, and we don’t yet know when or whether that will stop.
"Making vaccination available is not enough; people need to be convinced so that they do accept being vaccinated."
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisations at Public Health England
"The recommendations from the JCVI and MHRA provide confidence that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has met the very high standards needed to roll out the vaccine. This is a big step forward in tackling the virus.
“This means it can be delivered to those most at-risk, to help prevent as many deaths from Covid-19 as possible. Once deployed, PHE will work alongside the MHRA to keep the safety and efficacy of the vaccine under constant review.”
10:40 AM
Compulsory vaccines are not on the horizon, says Professor Lim
"In terms of whether it should be voluntary of compulsory, at the moment there is no suggestion that the offer of vaccination should be compulsorily taken up," says Professor Lim.
"Whether someone wants to have a vaccine or not, whether they're in the NHS or not, is at the moment a voluntary thing.
"But JCVI is not a policymaking body - policy will be made by ministers."
Professor Pirmohamed emphasises that among 20,000 people who had the vaccine, no adverse or serious side-effects have been reported.
The briefing ends with Professor Lim thanking everyone who has been involved in the process, and stressing the JCVI has so far advised on the first phase of the pandemic.
"This is a historic moment," says Prof Pirmohamed. "The UK is now one step closer to providing a safe and effective vaccine to help in the fight against Covid-19 - a virus that has affected each and every one of us in some way, and this will help to save lives."
Dr Raine concludes: "This vaccine, produced and developed Pfize/BioNTec, has been approved based on safety, effectiveness and quality. The public's safety has always been at the forefront of our minds. Safety is our watchword and it will always continue to be so."
10:29 AM
Professor Lim: 'We will need more than one vaccine type'
Professor Lim says that he expects during the pandemic "vaccine supply will be limited in the first instance".
"We will need as many vaccines as we can get, not just in the UK but globally, and this includes more than one vaccine type in order to reach all of the people who are at risk from Covid 19.
"This is the start of the programme, not the end of a programme."
It is also confirmed that pregnant women will not be getting the vaccine due to a lack of data.
10:27 AM
Coronavirus vaccine distribution will not take tiers into account
The Telegraph's political editor Gordon Rayner asks when the first vaccine will be delivered, if the first person who will get it has been identified, if the highest risk tiers be given priority, and whether economic decisions have been factored in.
Dr Raine says that "everything is being looked at 24/7 to enable this public health step to be put in place as soon as possible - not a minute wasted".
Professor Lim says the NHS is "working hard to deliver the vaccine as soon as possible", but it is not in his remit to impose any time limits on vaccine delivery.
Dr Raine says several thousands have already had the vaccine as part of the clinical trials.
"We will be inviting members of the public to join us in an active monitoring programme - many will get a letter inviting them to join this. So please help us to continue to build that body of knowledge about this important vaccine."
Gordon reiterates his question about whether the highest risk tiers will get it first.
"The intention of the prioritisation order is that the most vulnerable people are offered the vaccine first," Professor Lim says. "Our prioritisation order is not dependent on which tier somebody is in. It is a national prioritisation order."
10:23 AM
Pfizer vaccine gives partial immunity after seven days, says Professor Pirmohamed
Professor Pirmohamed says that people "will be immune seven days after the second dose" of the vaccine, which requires two doses taken 21 days apart.
"Partial immunity does occur after the first dose and we can see some protection occurring after day 12 of the first dose."
Dr Raine said that there will be "longer term follow up" on those who are vaccinated. She pays tribute to the "brilliance of science" and the "altruism" of those who have taken part in clinical trials.
Professor Lim says that the prioritisation advice is aimed at maximising benefit from vaccines.
"Whether or not the vaccine itself can be delivered to care homes is obviously an important point and there will be some flexibility in terms of operational constraints", Prof Lim says. "Every effort should be made to supply vaccine and offer vaccinations to care home residents.
"Whether or not that is actually doable depends on implementation."
10:19 AM
'Exemplary work has been done', says Dr Raine
The panel is asked whether the public can have absolute confidence in the vaccine after how quickly it was approved.
"A really important point relates to the thorough work - scientifically rigorous, methodologically sound - that the agency has done," Dr Raine says. "This vaccine has only been approved because those strict tests have been done and complied with.
"Everyone can be absolutely confident that no corners whatsoever have been cut. If you're climbing a mountain, you prepare and prepare. We started that in June. By the time the interim results became available on November 10 we were in base camp. That is the exemplary nature of the work that has been done and the public deserve nothing less."
Professor Lim said that vaccine prioritisation has been based on the risk of death from Covid-19 and that the most vulnerable individuals have been prioritised.
"The other element is protection of the NHS, because by protecting the NHS we also protect lives."
10:15 AM
The UK 'has one of the best immunisation programmes in the world'
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, says his committee has met regularly to appraise the latest evidence in relation to its role.
"The UK is fortunate in that we have one of the best immunisation programmes in the world," he says. "Every year millions of us are protected by serious disease.
"All of that expertise also informs JCVI's decision-making. We are suggesting that vaccines are offered in order to protect people who are most at-risk from dying of Covid-19, as well as protecting health and care services, because by doing so we also protect lives.
"We hope that in phase one of the vaccination programme, 90 to 99 per cent of those who are most at risk of dying from Covid-19 will be covered."
10:11 AM
Pfizer vaccine safety 'similar to those of other vaccines'
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chair of the Commission on Human Medicine Expert Working Group, says his group have called on the use of a "wide range of experts" in their research, and has worked with "unprecedented raw data".
"The data show that this vaccine is 95 per cent effective, it is effective in all the groups that were given the vaccine - age, sex, race, or country. The safety of the vaccine is similar to other vaccines, and most of the side effects are very mild and usually last for a day or so."
Professor Pirmohamed says that the group has advised NHS colleagues on stability issues that could surround the distribution of the vaccine at ultra-low temperatures.
10:07 AM
Pfizer vaccine: 'No corners have been cut - none at all'
"The development of this vaccine has been adapted so that the trials are overlapping, and the next one can start before a particular phase has finished," says Dr Raine.
"In this way, we have been able to progress development in the quickest way possible. It's been done using a process called a rolling review. That doesn't mean that any corners have been cut - none at all.
"Our experts, scientists and clinicians have worked round-the-clock and absolutely critically analysing the clinical evidence, the pretrials, the manufacturing and quality controls, down to the final sampling."
Dr Raine says that the public "can be very confident the vaccine is being used in the correct way". She says the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control will now carry out independent lab-testing so that every vaccine which is distributed meets the same standards of quality and safety.
10:03 AM
Downing Street briefing on vaccine underway
Dr June Raine, head of regulator MHRA, commences the Downing Street briefing on the Pfizer vaccine ahead of its imminent roll-out as soon as next week.
"This briefing has been called to announce that the MHRA has this week recommended to the UK Government, on the basis of the advice on the Commission on Human Medicines, that it should agree for approval for use of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTec," Dr Raine says.
"The recommendation has been reached following... the most rigorous scientific assessment of every piece of data, so it meets the strictest requirements of safety, of effectiveness, and of quality".
09:55 AM
Pfizer vaccine approval: Reaction from experts
Professor Arne Akbar, President of the British Society for Immunology, has described the approval of the Pfizer vaccine in the UK as "a momentous day for us all".
"This is a momentous day for us all. Covid-19 has impacted all our lives in so many ways and hope of an exit strategy has relied on a safe and effective vaccine. To achieve this within this timescale is remarkable and the researchers should be applauded.
"Although development of this vaccine has occurred rapidly, it’s important to emphasise that it will still have gone through all the rigorous safety tests, and validity of the data on effectiveness will have been assessed meticulously by the MHRA."
While Dr John Tregoning, a reader in respiratory infections at Imperial, said: "This is great news and remarkable progress given the first cases were less than a year ago. It shows what progress can be made through science and innovation.
Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in Global Health at University of Southampton, said regulators have "clearly been satisfied" of the efficacy and safety of the vaccine.
"The Pfizer vaccine does require storage at around -70C, which will pose significant logistical challenges for all countries that choose to use it," Dr Head said.
"These are not insurmountable but certainly challenging. Other vaccines, such as the Oxford AstraZeneca candidate, require storage at much lesser temperatures and will be simpler to transport. But, for now, this is wonderful news to wake up to.”
09:37 AM
Third wave of coronavirus hitting Israel as officials consider yet another lockdown
Israeli health officials have warned that the country is facing its third wave of coronavirus after the daily infection rate climbed to around 1,000 cases per day, James Rothwell reports from Jerusalem.
Dr Sharon Alroy-Preis, a senior health ministry official, said the rise in cases was "very worrying" and warned that it was likely to climb higher due to the recent reopening of shopping centres.
"This rise does not include the opening of malls or the return of [school] grades five and six, meaning there will be more rises. This is the start of the third wave,” she said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, mask-clad due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, attends the opening ceremony for Sha'ar Hagay national site - Alex Kolomiensky/Pool/AFP
The health ministry is also considering a third lockdown, including a nationwide curfew, during the Hanukkah and Christmas period to curb the rate of infection.
It came as Israeli media reported that the country's domestic vaccine project was being hampered by "red tape" and may not be available until summer 2021.
According to the Times of Israel, officials have complained that "over-regulation and a lack of sufficient government support" have hampered the vaccine trial process.
09:24 AM
Kenya looks to China to secure Covid-19 vaccine while alternative in question
Kenya’s president instructed the country’s health ministry on Monday to look for Covid-19 vaccines in China as doubts persist over a World Health Organization (WHO)-backed alternative, reports Tom Collins.
Uhuru Kenyatta said that the East African nation will also seek to collaborate with researchers in South Korea, India and Singapore. Kenya initially moved to secure vaccines from the COVAX facility - an alliance of 187 countries that aims to ensure equal access to the lifesaving injections.
The doses will initially be supplied by the Oxford University and AstraZeneca vaccine which is still undergoing trials and has had the accuracy of its preliminary data questioned. Kenya hopes to vaccinate up to 20 per cent of its 53 million population using the COVAX facility.
However, there are growing concerns that a single supplier will lead to potential issues and delays as richer regions snap up billions of vaccines from a variety of producers.
China has already offered discount vaccines to African countries leading to accusations of “vaccine diplomacy”. It has five vaccine candidates in the final stage of trials before they are approved by government regulators.
Speaking at a China-Africa coronavirus summit in June, China’s president Xi Jinping, said: “Once the development and deployment of a Covid-19 vaccine is completed in China, African countries will be among the first to benefit.”
09:16 AM
Pfizer vaccine is an 'important next step', says NHS chief
This from NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens:
“This is an important next step in our response to the Coronavirus pandemic and hospitals will shortly kick off the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history.
“The NHS has a proven track record of delivering large scale vaccinations from the winter flu jab to BCG and, once the final hurdles are cleared and the vaccine arrives in England’s hospitals, health service staff will begin offering people this ground-breaking jab in a programme that will expand to cover the whole country in the coming months.”
Despite the huge complexities, staff have been working to ensure that when it is approved and ready for use, the NHS is able to vaccinate from day one. The time between approval and deployment of a vaccine like this might typically be expected to take around a week, due to travel and extensive safety and quality control checks.
The vaccine will be dispatched by Pfizer from Belgium, to arrive at an unnamed location in the UK followed by quality checks after its delivery. These will include multiple temperature checks and GPS log checks.
This May 4, 2020, file photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, shows the first patient enrolled in Pfizer's COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine clinical trial - University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP/File
After central checks are complete, first orders will be placed and must be ordered by 11.55am for next day delivery. Orders from the NHS can then be processed by Public Health England.
Delivery will be dependent on the guidelines set out by regulators for distribution.
As the Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at very cold temperatures and carefully handled, it will initially only be delivered from 'hospital hubs'. The first stage of the phased vaccine rollout will start once it has been distributed.
09:05 AM
Matt Hancock offers to get Covid vaccine live on television
Matt Hancock has offered to get vaccinated live on television in order to convince people that it is safe.
"Yeah, I'll take it with you, Piers," Mr Hancock said in response to a suggestion from Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan.
"We'd have to get that approved because, of course, there is a prioritisation according to clinical need and, thankfully, as a healthy, middle-aged man, you're not at the top of the prioritisation.
"But if we can get that approved and if people think that's reasonable then I'm up for doing that because once the MHRA has approved a vaccine, they only do that if it is safe.
"And so, if that can help anybody else, persuade anybody else that they should take the vaccine then I think it's worth it."
Celebrities could be used to advertise jabs to public
08:58 AM
Expect more tiers in the coming months, says Matt Hancock
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, has said that despite this morning's news on a vaccine, the system of tiered restrictions in England which took effect today will still remain for the "forthcoming few months":
The regulations that we passed last night with a substantial majority in the House of Commons, they will be in place for forthcoming few months.
But you can see now, with confidence, that from the spring onwards things are getting better.
Between now and then we have to got to hold our nerve, we have got to hold our resolve. We can see the dawn in the distance but we have got to get through to morning.
Boris Johnson press conference will take place this evening
A technical briefing will take place at Downing Street at around 10am, per our Whitehall editor Harry Yorke.
Dr June Raine, head of regulator MHRA, Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chairman of the Commission on Human Medicine Expert Working Group, and Professor Wei Shen Lim, chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will all take part.
We can also expect a televised briefing from the Prime Minister this evening, where we can expect key questions about the vaccine to be covered - and maybe even more of Jonathan Van Tam's signature vaccine metaphors.
As always, we will be bringing you live updates throughout the day.
08:44 AM
Pfizer vaccine approval will help Britons 'reclaim our lives', says Boris Johnson
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has welcomed the vaccine news on social media, writing: "It's fantastic that @MHRAgovuk has formally authorised the @pfizer/@BioNTech-Group vaccine for Covid-19.
"The vaccine will begin to be made available across the UK from next week.
"It's the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again."
It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again. (2/2)
Mr Johnson has said that the regular recent updates on the progress of vaccines show that the pandemic and resultant draconian measures will eventually come to an end.
He said at the end of last month he is hopeful of a return to normality by Easter , or before that with "luck and hard work".
08:39 AM
Coronavirus vaccine news: Hancock says most vulnerable will receive vaccine 'from next week'
07:51 AM
Pfizer vaccine
07:47 AM
Largest vaccination campaign in UK history
Hospitals will soon start the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine with 50 hospitals "set up and waiting" for the jabs.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News there would be "three modes of delivery" of the vaccine.
He said: "The first is hospitals themselves, which of course we've got facilities like this. 50 hospitals across the country are already set up and waiting to receive the vaccine as soon as it's approved, so that can now happen.
"Also vaccination centres, which will be big centres where people can go to get vaccinated. They are being set up now.
"There will also be a community rollout, including GPs and pharmacists."
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS in England, said the vaccination programme would be the "largest-scale vaccination campaign in our country's history".
In a statement, he said: "This is an important next step in our response to the coronavirus pandemic and hospitals will shortly kick off the first phase of the largest-scale vaccination campaign in our country's history.
"The NHS has a proven track record of delivering large-scale vaccinations from the winter flu jab to BCG and, once the final hurdles are cleared and the vaccine arrives in England's hospitals, health service staff will begin offering people this ground-breaking jab in a programme that will expand to cover the whole country in the coming months."
07:29 AM
UK has led 'humanity's charge against this disease'
Following news that the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine has been approved for UK use, Business Secretary Alok Sharma tweeted his praise for "everyone involved in this breakthrough".
The UK was the first country to sign a deal with Pfizer/BioNTech - now we will be the first to deploy their vaccine
To everyone involved in this breakthrough: thank you
In years to come, we will remember this moment as the day the UK led humanity’s charge against this disease
The Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK, paving the way for mass vaccination to start.
Officials said the vaccine will be made available "from next week".
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer/BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for use. This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
"The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will shortly also publish its latest advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, including care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable.
"The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week."
06:04 AM
Stratford-on-Avon taking legal action over tiers
Stratford-on-Avon District Council has issued a legal letter challenging the Government's "arbitrary and irrational" decision to place it under Tier 3 controls after lockdown.
The Conservative leader of the council Tony Jefferson said the local authority had sent a Judicial Review pre-action protocol (PAP) letter to the Health Secretary.
It is urging Matt Hancock to "retract" the decision to put the district in Tier 3 along with the rest of Warwickshire, and instead place it into Tier 1 or 2.
Explaining the decision, Mr Jefferson said: "This is not an action we take lightly, however none of the data we see warrants Stratford-on-Avon District being placed in Tier 3.
"It is very disappointing that the Government did not use much greater granularity in deciding on tiers."I know that they have looked at a number of factors including the rates in all age groups, particularly older people who are more vulnerable to the virus; and we have to take into consideration the pressure on our local hospitals and NHS services."However, none of the metrics for our district warrant it being placed in Tier 3."The decision to put Stratford district in Tier 3 therefore appears arbitrary and irrational."
04:01 AM
Australia already out of recession
Australia has exited its first recession in almost 30 years, after official figures on Wednesday showed the economy grew 3.3 per cent between July and September, compared with the coronavirus-hit previous quarter.
With local transmission of Covid-19 largely under control, official data showed businesses have begun to rebound and consumer spending has surged.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics said household spending largely drove the economic bounce, rising 7.9 per cent.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the figures "can give Australians cause for optimism and hope", declaring that Australia "has performed better on the health and on the economic fronts than nearly any other country in the world".
The border between Victoria and Queensland reopened on Tuesday, allowing Australians to visit friends and family again - EPA
03:19 AM
Deaths surge but US set to cut quarantine time
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to recommend cutting the number of days that Americans need to isolate following exposure to a Covid-positive individual, despite the pandemic running rampant across the country.
Two senior White House officials told CNN that the new guidelines will say that close contacts of those infected with the coronavirus should quarantine for 7 to 10 days after exposure, down from the 14 days currently recommended. Individuals can end their quarantine after 7 days if they receive a negative test, or 10 days without getting tested.
It comes as the US is in the throes of a surge in cases and on Tuesday the country registered more than 2,500 deaths, the highest in a single day since April. More than 180,000 new cases were recorded, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The number of hospitalisations in the US hit 99,000 on Tuesday, a new record, according to the Covid Tracking Project.
Experts fear a new surge in the number of infections now that several days have passed since the Thanksgiving holiday, which saw millions of Americans defying Government recommendations to visit their families.
03:02 AM
Exclusive: NHS ready to provide vaccine within days
The Armed Forces and NHS have begun urgent preparations for the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine by the weekend, The Telegraph understands.
Military personnel have been ordered to transform about 10 sites into vaccine hubs within a fortnight, including the Nightingale hospital at the London ExCel centre, Epsom racecourse, in Surrey, and Bristol's Ashton Gate football stadium in Bristol and Robertson House conference facility in Stevenage will serve the capital and south of England, according to sources.
Manchester Tennis and Football Centre, the Centre for Life science park in Newcastle and Leicester racecourse will be the mass vaccine sites converted for the North and Midlands.
The NHS, which is in charge of the vaccine programme, is understood to have formally requested assistance from the Ministry of Defence via the "Military aid to the civil authorities" (Maca) protocol.
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