Wednesday evening news briefing: Your place in the Covid vaccine queue

Chris Price
·6 min read
A dry ice container that will be used to transport the Covid-19 vaccine - Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP
A dry ice container that will be used to transport the Covid-19 vaccine - Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP

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'Biological Jiu-jitsu' delivers jab to 'reclaim our lives'

Care home residents and their carers should be the first people to receive the new Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, according to official advice. Unless you have been sitting silently in a dark wardrobe all day, you will be aware the UK has become the first country in the world to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, which will be made available "from next week". The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises ministers, said vaccines should be prioritised for the elderly and health workers. The group has published its list of the order the vaccine should be distributed. Read on for details. The head of the regulator that approved the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine said that "no corners had been cut" in assessing its safety. Here is a write-up of a Downing Street briefing from the scientists. It might feel like there is a lot to take in with the vaccine news. Sarah Knapton's Q&A should answer your questions.

At a Downing Street press conference this evening, Boris Johnson said the nation is "no longer resting on the mere hope that we can return to normal but the sure and certain knowledge... that we can reclaim our lives" adding that scientists had performed a "biological Jiu-jitsu to turn the virus on itself". Matthew Lynn explains why he believes high-value workers and regions should get the vaccine first. Meanwhile, Ross Clark sets out why to really get the economy moving, the Government should give private sector Londoners priority for the vaccine. With the nation reeling from the move from lockdown into the regional tiers system, Patrick O'Flynn analyses why this brilliant vaccine breakthrough has come at the perfect time for Britain and the Prime Minister.

Queues from 5am as shops reopen in 'Wild Wednesday'

Shops, gyms and pubs have reopened as England's new tier system came into effect, with some retailers swamped in 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. Here is a gallery of Britons enjoying their newfound freedom from lockdown and, with Debenhams selling off its remaining stock before it closes for good, here is a guide to shopping the closing down sales effectively.

Tyson Fury tells BBC to knock him out of SPOTY

Tyson Fury has urged the BBC to remove him from this year's Sports Personality of the Year award shortlist and called on his fans not to vote for him. Fury, the WBC world heavyweight champion, was one of six names to be shortlisted for the annual award, which will be presented on December 20. Read why he is against his nomination. Meanwhile, three-time winner Sir Andy Murray has lamented the lack of women recognised by the award. Read his interview with Guy Kelly.

At a glance: Latest coronavirus headlines

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Lab-grown meat approved | Singapore has given US start-up Eat Just the greenlight to sell its lab-grown chicken meat, in what the firm says is the world's first regulatory approval for so-called clean meat that does not come from slaughtered animals. Read on for details.

Around the world: Trump 'seeking pardons for family'

Donald Trump has reportedly discussed preemptively pardoning his three eldest children and his son-in-law to shield them from potential prosecutions after he leaves office. The President is understood to have told his inner circle that he fears Joe Biden's administration would target his family in order to exact revenge on Mr Trump. Read on for details.

Wednesday interview

'The BBC has a diversity of everything except opinion'

 

Dominic Frisby
Dominic Frisby

He mocks 'hate speech', Left-wing platitudes and Government overreach in a witty musical style. Is he anathema to BBC commissioners? Dominic Cavendish speaks to Dominic Frisby, Nigel Farage's favourite comic.

Read the full interview

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. 'I don't want to die in this flat' | First-time buyers trapped in shared ownership nightmare

  2. Christmas TV schedule | Three shows to watch and three to miss

  3. Moral Money | 'My parents are being reckless with their pension. Should I warn them?'

Business and money briefing

High street crisis | Bonmarche has fallen into administration for the second time in just over a year, putting more than 1,500 jobs under threat. It follows the collapse of Arcadia and Debenhams this week.

Sport briefing

The cricket code | The decision for England analyst Nathan Leamon to position clipboards in front of the England balcony to convey messages to Eoin Morgan, the captain, on the field in their T20 clash against South Africa has sparked controversy. Michael Vaughan says captains, not analysts, must keep control of cricket matches while Scyld Berry sets out how England's actions have challenged the Spirit of Cricket.

Tonight's TV

Surviving Covid, Channel 4, 9pm | Four men in their fifties and sixties are followed over six months from March, when they were admitted into intensive care Read on for more.

And finally... for this evening's downtime

'What if you're a sociopath – and a doctor?' | Jean Hanff Korelitz – whose novel inspired the hit TV series ‘The Undoing’ – talks to Susannah Goldsbrough about Hugh Grant, coats and season 2.