One of England’s top medical officers on Sunday urged the public to continue to follow strict blocking rules, as any vaccine-related immunity to Covid-19 takes at least three weeks to begin.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy medical director, also warned that there was still no clear evidence that vaccinated people could not transmit the deadly virus to others.
“Whether someone has been vaccinated or not, it is vital that everyone follows national restrictions and public health advice, as protection lasts up to three weeks and we do not yet know the impact of vaccines on transmission,” Van-Tam said.
His warning comes as the UK recorded another high daily death toll from the virus of 1,348 this weekend, bringing the country’s total to 97,329.
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However, he pointed out that 32 additional vaccination sites will be put into circulation to add to the thousands of places where the National Health Service (NHS) delivered 140 shots per minute, bringing the total vaccinated to over 5, 8 million.
The vaccine is rightly something to celebrate – to be patient, stay home and support the NHS as it continues to launch the vaccine, he said.
A live museum where the BBC filmed a successful drama series “Peaky Blinders”, based on the famous Birmingham gang of the 1920s, is among the new vaccination sites.
A former IKEA store at Westfield Shopping Center in Stratford, London, the Francis Crick Institute, which is also in the UK capital, Sunding Nightingale Hospital and Blackpool Winter Gardens will also be new vaccination centers.
The latest openings mean there will be a network of nearly 50 across the country, in addition to options alongside hospitals, pharmacies and family practice (GP) offices.
“Through the vaccine delivery plan, we have made remarkable progress in vaccinating our NHS and care staff and the most vulnerable people in society,” said British Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
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“We must not be on guard. While the vaccine can prevent severe disease, we don’t know if it prevents you from spreading the virus to others, and it takes time to develop immunity after a shot, so for now, everyone needs to stay home to help reduce infections and protect. NHS, ”he said.
The NHS said the new vaccination centers will be able to deliver thousands of blows each week, rising downwards and depending on the demand and supply of vaccines.
People eligible for priority criteria over the age of 80, followed by over the age of 70, home workers and care staff, as well as front-line workers, are invited when it is their turn and people are asked not to show up.
“These new centers offer another option for people invited for their jabs, alongside the fantastic work of local GPs,” said Professor Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director.
Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi added: “As of next week, there will be almost 50 vaccination centers, more than 250 hospitals and more than 1,000 local vaccination service places run by family doctors and pharmacies across the country.
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“This will allow us to vaccinate as many people as possible in the coming weeks and months, and I encourage anyone who has been invited for a free vaccine to show up and receive a jab.”
The NHS said its new vaccination centers would start by hitting mainly medical and social care staff on Monday, before opening its doors to more patients on Tuesday.