Portsmouth politicians optimistic about vaccine news but urge people to carry on 'protecting each other'

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced yesterday its Covid-19 vaccine is more than 90 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19 following a clinical trial.

Prime minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference last night the vaccine had cleared a ‘significant hurdle’ but there were more to cross before it could be used.

Havant MP Alan Mak said: ‘Interim results for the Pfizer vaccine are encouraging but it is not ready yet so we need to continue protecting each other through social distancing and other measures.’

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage also urged for residents to carry on followin guidelines.

Ms Dinenage told The News: ‘It is still very early days while we wait for the full safety data for the vaccine but the first hurdle has been cleared and there is reason for cautious optimism.

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan added: ‘The latest news on a vaccine is a very welcome and a cause for optimism. This virus is controllable with decisive action and a clear strategy in place.’

Mr Johnson also encouraged residents in Liverpool to take part in the mass testing pilot that started on Friday and which could be rolled out across the country if successful.

Brigadier Joe Fossey, who is coordinating the operation in the northwest city, said it is a ‘possible route out of lockdown’.

But Labour MP Stephen Morgan believes there isn’t enough infrastructure for mass testing yet.

He told The News: ‘In Parliament I have been calling for testing and contact tracing to be the priority over the coming weeks. With an unclear and incoherent plan from Government, it is absolutely vital ministers use this time in the second lockdown to finally fix test and trace.

‘If we had an effective system in place we wouldn’t be in the place we are today. That means introducing locally-led arrangements, routine testing for those on the frontline and testing more widely available to all those who live in areas that have high infection rates.’

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Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, confirmed this evening asymptomatic NHS staff in England will receive Covid-19 tests twice a week.

Mr Mak added: ‘Havant’s new testing site has added extra testing capacity locally and the early mass testing being deployed in Liverpool is working well and should be expanded if necessary.'

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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