'Cautiously optimistic' about proposed new vaccine says North Yorkshire health boss

Health officials in North Yorkshire say we shouldn't get too excited about the new vaccine.

It's as manufacturers still don't know how effective it will be for high-risk groups.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Director of Public Health in North Yorkshire, said:

"Research evidence that's emerging suggests that it's not long lasting. It's probably less than a year, which means that any vaccine will probably need to be repeated to be boosted but we can be cautiously optimistic.

"If this vaccine in older people, in people with underlying health conditions for example, is as effective or even more so in those groups, then it can really level the playing field for us."

He spoke during yesterday's Covid-19 recovery forum for North Yorkshire where a discussion took place about the new breakthrough.