Prime Minister Boris Johnson provides an update on the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic during a virtual press conference at 10 Downing Street on March 18, 2021 in London, England.
Tolga Akmen – WPA Pool | Getty Images
LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to receive the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford on Friday, in an effort to reassure the public that the vaccine is both safe and effective.
Johnson, 56, has urged other people to get vaccinated against Covid-19, citing data from the UK’s independent drug regulator showing that the benefits far outweigh the risks.
A flurry of countries around the world had discontinued use of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution following reports of blood clots in some vaccinated people. Health experts sharply criticized the move, citing a lack of data, while analysts expressed concern about the impact on vaccine uptake as the virus continues to spread.
UK and EU regulators have said there was no evidence that the Covid vaccine had caused blood clots. The World Health Organization also said the benefits of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommended continuing the vaccinations.
Speaking at a conference in Downing Street on Thursday, Johnson said the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine was safe, but “ the thing that’s not safe is catching Covid, that’s why it’s so important we all get our shots as soon as we get to the turn. coming. “
The British leader was himself treated in hospital for Covid-19 in April last year and spent days in an intensive care unit.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex is also expected to receive the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday.
Vaccine supplies
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among some of those in Europe who say they will resume the vaccine after the European drug regulator has declared it safe and effective. Indonesia, which had previously delayed the injection, said Friday it had approved the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.
However, Norway, Sweden and Denmark have said they will continue to use the vaccine while conducting their own independent reviews.
The UK, which has not interrupted the rollout of the Oxford AstraZeneca shot, said delays in the supply of vaccines next month will not affect England’s roadmap to emerge from the lockdown.
A health worker holds a box of AstraZeneneca vaccine at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi province on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Chaiwat Subprasom | SOPA images | LightRocket via Getty Images
The National Health Service had warned of a “significant reduction” in the weekly supply of Covid vaccines in England next month, after fewer doses than initially expected came in from India.
Johnson said there was “no change” in the government’s plan to relax public health restrictive measures, insisting that the roadmap was “on track” despite an unexpected drop in vaccine supply.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, more than 4.2 million people have contracted Covid in the UK to date, with 126,163 deaths.