Prime Minister Boris Johnson offers an update on the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic during a virtual press conference at 10 Downing Street on March 18, 2021, in London, England.
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LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will receive the first dose of coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University on Friday, trying to reassure the public that the vaccine is both safe and effective.
Johnson, 56, urged others to inoculate themselves against Covid-19, citing data from the UK’s independent regulator that shows the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Many countries around the world have suspended the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution following reports of blood clots in some vaccinated people. Health experts have sharply criticized the move, citing a lack of data, while analysts have expressed concern about the impact on vaccine absorption as the virus continues to spread.
Regulators in the UK and the EU have said there is no evidence that the Covid vaccine caused blood clots. The World Health Organization also said the benefits of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the risks and recommended further vaccinations.
Speaking at a conference in Downing Street on Thursday, Johnson said the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, but “the unsafe thing is catching Covid, which is why it’s so important that we all get our drops right after our turn.” it’s 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 supply
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among those in Europe who say they will resume using the vaccine after Europe’s drug regulator said it was safe and effective. Indonesia, which had previously postponed the administration of the shot, said on Friday that it had approved the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
However, Norway, Sweden and Denmark have stated that they will continue to stop using the vaccine while conducting their own independent tests.
Britain, which did not stop launching the Oxford-AstraZeneca coup, said delays in supplying vaccines next month would not impact England’s roadmap outside the blockade.
A health worker owns a box of AstraZeneneca vaccine at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi Province, on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Chaiwat Subprasom | Images SOUP | LightRocket via Getty Images
The National Health Service warned of a “significant reduction” in the weekly supply of Covid vaccines in England next month, after fewer doses had arrived from India than initially expected.
Johnson said there was “no change” in the government’s plan to mitigate restrictive public health measures, insisting the roadmap was “on track” despite an unexpected drop in vaccine supply.
To date, more than 4.2 million people have contracted Covid in the UK, with 126,163 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.