Latest updates: research suggests variant has potential to evade immune protection from previous illness or vaccines
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The former prime minister, David Cameron, has been vaccinated. He is 54, which means either his local vaccination team is well ahead of schedule as it tears through the list, or else he qualifies on health or caring responsibility grounds. Yesterday Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said the over-60s are now being formally invited to get vaccinated in England.
Huge ‘thank you’ to our brilliant NHS & all the amazing staff & volunteers working on the UK’s deeply impressive vaccine programme. I was proud to have my jab this morning & encourage everyone to take theirs when the call comes – it’s crucial we look after ourselves & each other. pic.twitter.com/62VOMvuOgw
The coronavirus variant originally found in Manaus in Brazil and now detected in six cases in the UK was able to evade 25% to 61% of the protection people in the Amazonian city had after a first bout of Covid, researchers say.
An international team of scientists is calling for more genetic sequencing of emerging variants around the world, warning that only with knowledge of how Sars-CoV-2 is mutating can the pandemic be brought under control.
