Matt Hancock warns those with two vaccine doses ‘may still die’ as Indian variant spreads

Matt Hancock issues warning over vaccine protection

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Matt Hancock told Sophy Ridge on Sky News that a double dose of a coronavirus vaccine results in around 97 percent protection against dying from the virus. However, the Health Secretary admitted that the flip-side of that figure meant that there was still a possibility that some could die from the virus.

Ms Ridge asked: “So some people who have been vaccinated frankly could still end up in hospital and could still die?”

Mr Hancock replied: “Well a very small proportion that is true under the existing variants as well.

“The flip-side of saying 97 percent protection against death is that it does still leave that three percent chance.

“It is one of the reasons why in the long-term we talk about where we want to get with this disease is managing it like flu.

“People get vaccinated for flu every year as well.

“It is all about getting risks down to a manageable level.”

The Health Secretary added that he has a “high degree of confidence” that the vaccine will overcome the Indian variant.

It comes as the Indian variant is starting to spread across some parts of the country. 

It is thought to be more transmissible than the current dominant strain in the UK. 

Boris Johnson held a press conference on Friday and warned it could lead to a delay in the last stage of unlocking from lockdown in Britain on June 21.

More to follow…

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