The first doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine have been administered today.
More than half a million doses of the vaccine were ready to use from this morning, which Health Secretary Matt Hancock said was a “pivotal moment” in the UK’s fight against the virus.
82-year-old Brian Pinker was the visit person in the world to receive the new vaccine in Oxford this morning.
'I'm so pleased to be getting the COVID vaccine today and really proud it is one that was invented in Oxford.'
82-year-old Brian Pinker became the first person in the world to receive the new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine this morning at @OUHospitals. 💉 pic.twitter.com/nhnd3Sx97m
— NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) January 4, 2021
On Sunday more than 50,000 new confirmed Covid cases were recorded in the UK for the sixth day running.
And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned there was “no question we will have to take tougher measures” to control the new, fast-spreading variant of the virus. It is thought the PM will make his latest announcement at tea time today.
In Greater Manchester, the Army is being drafted in from today to help carry out asymptomatic testing for coronavirus, the government has announced.
The Ministry of Defence said 800 military personnel including soldiers would deploy to support community testing plans drawn up by Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
