What time is Matt Hancock’s coronavirus announcement today?
8 February 2021, 12:46 | Updated: 8 February 2021, 15:38
Health Secretary Matt Hancock will lead the Downing Street press conference today but what time is it and what will he be saying?
Matt Hancock will be making the latest coronavirus announcement today that is expected to reassure the UK public about the efficacy of the Oxford vaccine.
The Health Secretary will lead the Downing Street press conference on Monday afternoon, during which he will deliver the latest updates on jabs, in particular how effective the Oxford/AstraZeneca shot is against the South African variant which is now in the UK.
How many Covid variants are there and what are they called?
So what time is Matt Hancock speaking at his press conference today? And what coronavirus updates is he expected to deliver?
What time is Matt Hancock’s announcement today?
As usual, the Health Secretary will deliver his No 10 press conference at 5pm on Monday 8 February.
South Africa suspends Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine rollout
What will Matt Hancock be talking about in his press conference today?
It is believed the Health Secretary will seek to reassure the public after a study suggested the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is less effective against the new South African strain.
He will also address rising concerns over the new Covid-19 variants present in the UK and how the jabs will help the country progress in its fight against the virus.
Matt Hancock’s announcement comes after a study found the Oxford vaccine may not be able to prevent mild or moderate illness caused by the South African strain of coronavirus.
South Africa has paused the use of the drug and scientists say people may need a booster jab by the autumn.
Vaccine’s minister Nadhim Zahawi has urged the British public to keep faith in the Oxford/AstraZeneca shots as scientists working on it raised the prospect of having a booster dose later in the year.
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