The Government has already purchased 100 million doses of the vaccine and has begun recruiting an estimated 10,000 medics and volunteers to distribute and administer the vaccine. The boss of AstraZeneca has said the vaccine that his firm has developed is more effective than first thought. This news has raised hopes amid the rapid spread of a new mutated strain of coronavirus and the new strains that have evolved in South Africa and Nigeria.
Currently, millions of Britons are being held under Tier 4 restrictions in a bid to control the new coronavirus variant.
The Department of Health and Social Care announced that more than 600,000 people had been given the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that has already been approved by regulators.
Infections from coronavirus have risen to 30,000 a day in the UK.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is easier to distribute than the Pfizer alternative, as it does not have to be stored at -70C.
This means the Government does not need to purchase ultra-low fridges for transportation and storage of this vaccine.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph a source said: “Tens of thousands of vaccinators and support staff have been recruited.
“At the moment, we are operationalising everything for the 4 January for the first Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs in arms.”
Downing Street is organising mass vaccination centres to be prepared ahead of the rollout.
READ MORE: Coronavirus RELIEF: Two million Britons to be vaccinated from January 4 under new plans
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has given his support to the vaccination efforts.
Speaking to, telling the Mail on Sunday: “There will be tough days and months ahead.
“However, there are reasons to look ahead to a brighter future and what 2021 promises.
“The early roll-out of vaccines and the incredible work of our scientists and NHS.
“This means we can now see light at the end of the tunnel with this pandemic.”
