'UK variant' of coronavirus linked with higher rate of mortality
Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement in a briefing this afternoon
Last updated 24th May 2022
With hospitalisations with coronavirus 78% higher than during the first peak of the pandemic, the Prime Minister says the so-called UK variant potentially has a higher mortality rate.
Boris Johnson has been holding a briefing in Downing Street this evening, saying over 38,000 people are currently hospitalised with covid-19.
He was updating us on the vaccine rollout, saying 5.38 million people have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccination.
The PM said everyone in the top-four priority groups should have had their first dose by the middle of February.
He asked that when the invite comes, that we do not hesitate to book an appointment and get the jab.
A change in infection rates
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said that 1 in 55 people have the virus at the moment, but this has reduced from the level seen when national lockdown hit on 5th January in England.
He explained how the number of people going into hospital is levelling off slightly, particularly in the South East.
The 'R rate' has dropped down to 0.8-1.0 across the UK.
This is the reproduction rate of the virus.
It will take 'some weeks', the professor said, for hospitalisations to reduce following a reduction in infection rates.
Concerns over new coronavirus variants
Sir Patrick Vallance then spoke about the UK variant in particular.
We already know it transmits more easily than the older variant of the virus, between 30% and 70%.
The Chief Scientific Officer said this can affect anyone, at any age.
He said that when they looked at data of anyone who had tested positive for this new variant that there is an 'increased risk' of mortality.
Sir Patrick said that if you looked a 60-year-old man, for example, for every 1,000 people, roughly 10 would be expected to die, before. Now 13 or 14 might be expected to die.
He added that more data needs to be analysed before definite answers can be given.
On a more positive note, research shows the vaccines are still effective despite the higher virality.
Those who have already had coronavirus are also seeing positive protection with the vaccines.
When it comes to the South African and Brazilian variants, there is some thoughts these are less susceptible to vaccines, but Sir Patrick said more studies are needed across the world on this.
More on the coronavirus vaccine
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine was considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under 30's in the U.K. were given the option to choose a different vaccine to this due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-30s would typically choose the Pfizer jab or later, the moderna jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is even easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
What is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The fourth vaccine to be be approved in the UK was Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, released under the name Janssen. Notably, It is also the first single shot vaccine in use during this vaccine rollout.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines were offered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then rolled out by age group.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.
What is a vaccine passport?
The Government debate the idea of a vaccine passport as proof of full vaccination required to enter venues like nightclubs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid later "ditched" the idea and ensured clubbers that they no longer need to be double jabbed by the end of September 2021 to get into Nightclubs or big events.
Do I need a booster jab?
Pfizer/BioNTech booster jabs are rolled out as part of the Government's winter covid plan. Shots can be given to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes and frontline health and social care workers. All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid will also be eligible for a jab. There must be at least 6 months between a 2nd vaccine dose and a booster jab.
Oxford jab scientist Sarah Gilbert says booster jabs are "not needed for all" and that they should instead go to countries with low vaccination rates.
Will children be vaccinated?
The government have also made vaccines available to children aged between 12-15 as part of the country's winter Covid plan.
What about five to 11-year-olds getting vaccinated?
All 5 to 11-year-olds in England can now receive a coronavirus jab, following advice from the JCVI and the same decision being made in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is also expanding their vaccination programme to include the 5-11 age range. It means almost six million children in the UK will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.