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The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock led the briefing tonight amidst an increase of rates from the Brazilian strain. Accompanying him were Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Jonathan Van-Tam, and Senior Medical Adviser for Public Health England, Dr. Susan Hopkins.

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Key points from the conference:

• The "magnificent" milestone of vaccinating 20 million people across the country has been hit announces Matt Hancock at the start of the conference.
  
  

• When praising the public, Hancock reveals 94% of the British population have accepted the vaccine. He adds "each and every jab makes us all safer"
  
  

  

  

  

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• The Health Secretary proceeds to the slides confirming the success of the coronavirus vaccination. A gap is developing between the rate of decline in older and younger groups he states. Provided in the graphs below.
  
  

  

  

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• Over 80% reduction in hospitalisations with a single shot of either the Oxford Astrazeneca or Pfizer vaccine for serve infection in over 70's new data reveals. Hancock continues by saying "the protection you get from catching Covid 35 days after a first jab is even slightly better for the Oxford jab than for Pfizer", but both results are incredibly strong.
  
  

• Matt Hancock confirms over 60's will now be offered the coronavirus vaccination jab to ensure all adults are able to receive it nationwide by the end of July.
  
  

• £1.6 billion budget for the vaccine rollout will be revealed on Wednesday by Chancellor, Rishi Sunak.
  
  

• The strain first identified in Brazil which was spread over here by 6 people so far, is being monitored carefully with surge testing being put in place in South Gloucestershire as a precaution.
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• Press questions begin with Alasdair from Norwich whether there is going to be a specific number for the Government to lift restrictions. Hancock responds by saying "the answer is no, there are not specific thresholds."

To read the key points from previous government coronavirus conferences click here

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