Britain’s biggest ever vaccination programme starts next week. The first batch of 800,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine has been delivered with the bulk of the 400 million ordered due over the following weeks.
The government has provided £60 million towards the development of the Oxford University vaccine and has ordered 100 million doses. They have also ordered 160 million doses of other vaccines being developed.
Perhaps the government will, at last, get some welcome credit for being well prepared.
Care homes staff and residents are first in line in the vaccination programme being organised by the NHS followed by front line nursing staff, the elderly and seriously ill.
Lower down the list, less at risk children who will have to wait in a programme that will continue well into next year.
St John Ambulance are recruiting thousands of volunteers to help in the programme and GPs will also take part.
Vaccination is not compulsory which presents a problem as a high level of coverage is essential.
A recent poll showed that one in five would not take the vaccine. Also worrying is the anti campaign pouring out via social media.
To counter this the government is launching a campaign including television advertising with famous personalities.
It is possible they might include the prime minister and Matt Hancock, the health secretary for England.
The arrival of the first vaccine with others due soon has changed the mood in the country but the government and health chiefs have warned that the danger is not over.
Restrictions must be be observed over the winter if we are to get our normal lives back by the summer.
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