The Telegraph
Data boost prompts calls for faster freedoms Schools accused of 'blackmailing' parents into testing consent Search 'closing in' on unknown patient with Brazilian variant Covid generation will feel 'glad' to have lived through pandemic Subscribe to The Telegraph for a month-long free trial Rishi Sunak is expected to outline plans for £1.65 billion boost to the UK's vaccine rollout when he unveils his Budget today. In his statement to the Commons, he will build on the £280 billion package of support already given by the Treasury during the crisis. The boost to the vaccine programme comes as Covid deaths in England have fallen to levels about three weeks ahead of modelling estimates, prompting experts to call for lockdown to be eased more quickly. Scientific Pandemic Influenza Modelling group estimated that vaccines would reduce the risk of infection between 24 and 48 per cent after the first dose, and 30 to 60 per cent after the second dose. But real world results show vaccination is far more effective, reducing the risk by 70 per cent after one dose and 85 per cent after two doses. The Government hopes that the 32 million people in the top nine priority groups will be vaccinated by April 15, and will aim for every person aged over 18 will have been offered a coronavirus vaccination by the end of July. As of March 2, 20,478,619 first doses have been administered in the UK, and 844,098 people have received a second dose so far. Follow the latest updates below.