Boris Johnson to have AstraZeneca jab as he urges public to do the same
Mr Johnson, 56, told a Downing Street press conference that “the Oxford jab is safe and the Pfizer jab is safe: the thing that isn’t safe is catching Covid”.
His remarks follow a ruling from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that the AstraZeneca vaccine is “safe and effective”. In the wake of their report, some of the countries who suspended the vaccine’s use – including France, Spain, Italy and Germany – resumed its rollout.
Parts of France are facing a month-long lockdown amid rising cases. Prime Minister Jean Castex has said that he fears a “third wave” is likely.
Non-essential businesses in Paris will close from midnight, although schools will remain open. A nationwide curfew, beginning at 7pm local time, will remain in place.
The country has faced criticism for its slow vaccine rollout.
UK debt hits record high amid pandemic borrowing
The UK’s debt has hit a record high as the government battles with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The government borrowed £19.1bn last month: more than in any other February since records began in 1993, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said that the government’s spending on their pandemic response was the “responsible thing to do” in the “medium-term”, but added that “we should look to return the public finances to a more sustainable path once the economy has recovered”.
Joanna Taylor19 March 2021 09:20
Oxford vaccine boss tells Europe: ‘We’re not in a battle with each other’
Oxford Vaccine Group director professor Andrew Pollard has welcomed the European Medicines Agency’s report calling the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab “safe and effective”.
Professor Pollard told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the regulator’s findings are “good news” and “incredible reassuring”.
“I think what they have very clearly stated is that we absolutely are confident in use of the vaccine, that it’s not associated with the blood clots as was originally raised,” he said.
“We’re really not in a battle with each other or the vaccine, we’re battling a ruthless killer that within the European Union has killed 600,000 people in the past year.”
Joanna Taylor19 March 2021 09:00
‘Covid certificates’ could help return of sports, Culture Secretary says
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said that the government are considering “Covid certificates” to “help facilitate the return of sports”.
Mr Dowden told Sky News that various measures will be tested ahead of allowing crowds to assemble from 21 June, including “Covid certification”.
“We’re piloting the different things that will enable that to happen. Clearly it will have to be done in a Covid-secure way,” he said.
“We will be testing these things, things like one-way systems, things like masks, things like hand hygiene and everything else. Another thing that we are considering is a Covid certification, and we will be testing whether we can use Covid certification to help facilitate the return of sports.”
Mr Dowden added that Cabinet Minister Michael Gove is leading a review on the issue.
Joanna Taylor19 March 2021 08:53
Paris faces month-long lockdown
Paris is facing fresh lockdown measures amid surging Covid-19 cases.
From midnight, all nonessential businesses will close, inter-regional travel will be banned and anyone travelling in the evening or more than 10km from their home will have to fill out a form to explain why.
The measures are also being rolled out in the Ile-de-France and Hauts-de-France regions and parts of Normandy and will last for four weeks.
The country is facing daily case numbers between around 20,000 and 35,000 – around seven times higher than in the UK.
Joanna Taylor19 March 2021 08:43
European countries resume Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine rollout
France, Spain, Italy and Germany have resumed use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said that it is “safe and effective”.
The regulatory agency undertook an investigation into the jab after nearly 20 countries suspended its rollout over blood clotting fears. The EMA has said that blood clots are “not associated” with the vaccine.
The EMA said in a statement:
“This is a safe and effective vaccine, its benefits in protecting people from Covid-19 with the associated risks of death and hospitalisation outweigh the possible risks.
“The committee also concluded that the vaccine is not associated with an increase in the overall risk of thromboembolitic events or blood clots.”
Joanna Taylor19 March 2021 08:34
Boris Johnson to receive Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine today
Boris Johnson is to receive his first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine today.
The prime minister said that the jab is “safe” at a Downing Street Press conference, and urged everyone to receive theirs when possible.
“The Oxford jab is safe; and the Pfizer jab is safe – the thing that isn’t safe is catching Covid – which is why it’s so important that we all get our jabs as soon as our turn comes,” he said.
“As it happens, I’m getting mine tomorrow. And the centre where I’m getting jabbed is currently using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for those receiving their first dose, and that is the one I’ll be having.”
Yesterday, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is “safe and effective” after fears were raised over blood clotting.
Joanna Taylor19 March 2021 08:25
Welcome to The Independent’s Covid blog, bringing you up-to-the-minute updates on case numbers, lockdowns and vaccine news from the UK and around the world.
Joanna Taylor19 March 2021 08:13
