The Indian (Delta) variant of COVID-19 is 40% more transmissible than the Kent (Alpha) strain, Matt Hancock told Sky News.
The health secretary said the new variant had made decisions that led to the release of restrictions on June 21 “more difficult”.
Speaking on the Trevor Phillips On Sunday show, Mr Hancock said: “This figure, about 40% more transmissible, is the last piece of advice I have. It means that it is more difficult to manage this virus with the new Delta variant, but above all we believe that with two doses of the vaccine you get the same protection as the old variant. “
The health secretary also said vaccines would be opened to those under 30 in the coming days.
“This week we are going to open the vaccines to people under 30 and so we are getting closer to the point where we have been able to offer the vaccine to all adults in this country,” he said.
Mr Hancock also said that vaccinating children over 12 would have its “benefits” for education.
The Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on Friday approved the use of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds.
“I am delighted that the regulator, after looking very carefully at the data, has come forward and said the jab is safe and effective for those over 12 years old.
“We are currently following the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunization (JCVI), the subject matter experts, on the right approach to put this into practice,” Hancock said.
“I want to protect education as much as anyone, and thus make sure that we don’t have to go home with all these bubbles, especially since we saw it in the fall for example. , this has advantages for education, ”he added.
Hancock said it was essential for the reopening on June 21 whether the four tests set by the government have been encountered.
He said the link between cases and hospitalizations had been “cut but not broken.”
Mr Hancock continued: “Everyone has to …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-06-06 07:57:00
