Good morning. At the weekend it emerged that some new research reveals that the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine, the main one used in the UK, provides just “very little” protection. against mild or moderate illness from the South African coronavirus variant (known as B1351 or 501Y.v2). The findings come from a small study that was not peer-reviewed, which does not mean that the vaccine will stop people from becoming seriously ill or dying from various South African countries (). evidence suggests that there will still be), and the South African variable has only been identified in a relatively small number of cases in the UK at least.
However, it is a reminder that vaccination alone does not provide a miracle solution.
Here is the press release from Oxford University about the research. And here’s the Guardian story about it.
In an article for the Daily Telegraph, Nadhim Zahawi, a minister of vaccine use, has said people should still have confidence in a vaccine use program. He says:
Our brilliant scientists and medical advisors are now working on the potential for new versions of existing vaccines to offer additional protection against Covid modifications. Last week we announced an agreement with the CureVac manufacturer to allow new types of vaccines based on messenger RNA technology to be rapidly developed and to receive 50 million doses of a new version of vaccine, if needed.
But we should remember that recent studies show that the vaccines currently in use across the UK appear to be working well against the current Covid-19 changes. in the UK. With regard to other different changes, not in the UK, we need to be aware that even where vaccines have reduced effectiveness in preventing infection, there may still be good efficacy against serious disease, hospitalization and death. This is very important for protecting the health care system.
While it is right and necessary to prepare for the use of an updated vaccine, we can be reassured by the current spread and the protection it gives us all against this terrible disease.
There will be more on this debate as the day progresses.
Here is the agenda for the day.
11m: Rachel Reeves, Cabinet Office shadow minister, will deliver a speech on cronyism in government procurement. In an article by the Guardian outlining her argument, she says “cutting the religious money and waste that comes with buying out, we can rebuild the foundations of our public services and strengthen the strength of our communities and countries ”.
12f: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily meeting for a lobby.
12.15f: Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething will hold a coronavirus preparation message.
12.15f: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is expected to lead a coronavirus vaccination.
2.30pm: Home Secretary Priti Patel raises questions in the Commons.
2.45f: Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove will give evidence to the Commons’ European scrutiny committee on Brexit.
5f: Downing Street may hold a press conference.
Politics Live is now doubling as the UK’s live coronavirus blog and, with the way Covid’s crisis is shutting it all down, this will continue into the future. But we also deal with non-Covid political stories, and when they seem more important or interesting, they take precedence.
This is our global coronavirus live blog.
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