Boris Johnson’s problems may be increasing by the day but there is one Christmas wish that remains top of the list: approval of the Oxford vaccine
It’s critical for the PM’s promise of a different world by Easter
New @theipaper column https://inews.co.uk/opinion/boris-johnsons-future-prime-minister-rests-oxford-vaccine-805045
It’s critical for the PM’s promise of a different world by Easter
New @theipaper column https://inews.co.uk/opinion/boris-johnsons-future-prime-minister-rests-oxford-vaccine-805045
While Johnson’s plan for some Christmas cheer for the country have been dashed, his hopes for a different world by Easter is still possible – but it rests on the vaccine being approved by the MHRA
Without the Oxford vaccine, the view in No 10 is that the whole timeline changes – restrictions get more long-winded and the OBR best-case scenario drifts further out of the view. The hope in Government is that the vaccine will be approved late December
While it is thought to have a lower efficacy rate than Pfizer, there is no supply issue (the UK has ordered 100 million doses) and it is logistically much easier to get out fast because it can be stored at fridge temperature.
“Oxford is the vaccine that can save the world [on Covid],” says a Whitehall source – pointing to its low cost and ease of use.
One idea doing the rounds in Whitehall to lift spirits is a daily vaccine toll – documenting the number of people vaccinated that day – so as to show the public the progress being made.
If it is approved, it will be in Johnson’s interests to start laying out in the Commons – and crucially to his party – how many people need to be vaccinated before restrictions can go.
The deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam made the point recently that it might not be too long before they can achieve phase one of the programme which would mean vaccinating the people whose demographic group (the vulnerable and over-50s) accounts for 99% of deaths.
At that point, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak told The Spectator in an interview that you suddenly have “flexibility and options” on restrictions. This is a view shared by several ministers.
But without that – and crucially without the Oxford vaccine – the path for Johnson to tread in 2021 becomes much more uphill. Long term restrictions would be something many in Tory party would be incredibly reluctant to swallow.