RUSHES: Coronavirus: Downing Street press conference June 18th

Coronavirus: Downing Street press conference June 18th; ENGLAND: London: Westminster: Downing Street INT Press conference part 2 of 9 Matt Hancock MP (Health Secretary) statement SOT. - During this pandemic, we have put stringent measures in place to protect people who are getting vaccinations. And, in the long run, the best way to defeat this virus is, of course, the discovery of a vaccine. And, since the start, we have been supporting the most promising projects. As of this week, the Imperial vaccine is now in the first phase of human clinical trials and AstraZeneca has struck a deal for the manufacture of the Oxford vaccine. They’re starting manufacturing now, even ahead of approval, so we can build up a stockpile and be ready, should it be clinically approved. Just like with dexamethasone, the treatment which we stockpiled before we had the proof it was clinically effective. So we are starting the manufacture of the Oxford vaccine now so that it will be ready should the science come off. Today, we have published the way in which we propose to prioritise people for access to a vaccine, as soon as one comes available. Just as we did for testing, we will be guided by the clinical science, prioritising those in most need. I am very grateful to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which has published its interim advice today. They recommend priority vaccination for 2 groups: frontline health and social care workers, and those at increased risk of serious disease and death from coronavirus, including, for example, adults over the age of 50 and those with heart and kidney disease. As we learn more about the virus, we will continue to take into account which groups may be particularly vulnerable, including for example those from ethnic minority backgrounds. So we can protect the most at risk first should a vaccine become available and get this country back on her feet as soon as we possibly can. Test and Trace Our ...