By Pfizer jab 65% effective after first dose
New results show the pfizer vaccine is 65% effective after the first dose which then rises up to 84% after the second dose.
The vaccine reduces patients’ risk of infection by 65%, in the over 80s, after the first dose alone and can then start working in as little as two weeks.
Results have then said figures increase to 79% and 84% after receiving the second dose of the vaccine which is slightly lower than rates shown in clinical trials.
The government has added this is still “hugely positive” even with being slightly lower than expected.
The source also added the rate of which the vaccine begins to work is faster in younger people so does not necessarily take up to two weeks in the under 80s.
As of Wednesday more than 13 million people have received their first dose of a Covid vaccine in the UK, while 516,392 have also had their second jab.
Scientists had previously urged the Government to administer the two vaccine doses no more than three weeks apart.
Government experts will not be following previous advice.
They have said evidence shows a single jab offers enough protection to allow people to wait nine weeks for their second dose instead of waiting no more than three weeks.
Boris Johnson has pledged to start reopening schools on March 8, once the top four priority groups have all received their first dose of a Covid vaccine.
The aim for this is to be reached by mid-February which statistics show they are currently on track to achieve.
