By Tony O’Riley-
Boris Johnson has cast some doubts about the newly celebrated vaccine , as he warned the British public against the “biggest mistake” it could make following today’s announcement a Covid-19 vaccine has been developed by Pfizer
The pharmaceutical giant and its partner BioNTech said interim results showed their jab could prevent people developing coronavirus – with 90 per cent efficiency.
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Speaking from 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister said the Government has not yet seen the full safety data and any findings will also need to be peer reviewed. While describing the development as a “significant hurdle”, the Prime Minister said there will still be many similar hurdles to overcome in the fight against the pandemic.
Johnson confirmed the UK had ordered 30m doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which puts the country “at the front of the queue” when it comes to immunisation.
Although he made clear, a number of checks had to made in what are “very, very early days” in the battle to rid the world of coronavirus.
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The Prime Minister added: “The biggest mistake we could make is to slacken our resolve.”
Highlighting a mass testing pilot underway in Liverpool, he urged urges anyone in Liverpool to go and get tested, and thanked those who have already. He said: “We hope and believe that mass testing will help [bring the R down]
“We have tested thousands of people in Liverpool and if you are in Liverpool get yourself tested. There are 19 centres. Do it for your friends, relatives and community.
“We are also sending thousands of rapid tests out to local councils – and we are working on a similar mass testing for students up and down the country.”
Dr Albert Bourla, Pfizer chairman and chief executive, said: “Today is a great day for science and humanity.”
Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases and global health at the University of Oxford, said: “This news made me smile from ear to ear.”
Meanwhile England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said the findings demonstrated “the power of science against Covid”, adding: “We must see the final safety and efficacy data, but it is very encouraging.
“It is essential we continue to suppress Covid, but it is a reason for optimism for 2021
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