Boris Johnson targets vaccines for everyone over 50 by April

The UK’s vaccination program continues at speed, with more than 13 million people having now received their first dose. Data relating to the pandemic is also improving, with cases of the virus, hospitalizations and deaths all falling, Vallance said.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson set a target to vaccinate all over-50s against coronavirus by the end of April, but warned it’s still too soon to talk about lifting the nation’s lockdown.

London: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a media briefing on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Downing Street, London, Wednesday Feb. 10, 2021. AP/PTI(AP02_11_2021_000018A) (AP)

More data on the success of vaccines is needed before restrictions can be eased, Johnson’s chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, said at a televised press briefing with the two men on Wednesday evening.

“We’re just going to have to be a little bit more patient,” Johnson said, as he told people not to book any vacations. “It is just too early to be certain about what we will be able to do this summer.”

The UK’s vaccination program continues at speed, with more than 13 million people having now received their first dose. Data relating to the pandemic is also improving, with cases of the virus, hospitalizations and deaths all falling, Vallance said.

However, any re-opening of the economy will have to happen carefully so the government can measure the effects of any relaxation of the rules, he said.

Johnson is scheduled to set out a road map for easing restrictions on Feb. 22. He is under pressure from members of his own Conservative Party to start lifting curbs as soon as possible to help the UK rebound from its worst downturn for 300 years.