UK Expects COVID-19 Vaccinations to Be Administered Within 'Sujuil' Period

Receiving flu vaccination domestically. Photo by Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] UK health authorities are expected to approve the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine within 'a few weeks' and ensure vaccination takes place before Christmas on December 25 (local time).

On the 25th, the British daily Daily Mail reported that it obtained internal documents and memos sent earlier this month by the NHS Trust director responsible for the England and Wales regions under the UK's public healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS), revealing this information.

According to a memo sent to staff by Glenn Burley, CEO of George Eliot Hospital under the NHS Trust, preparations are underway to start the COVID-19 staff vaccination program in early December, before Christmas.

Additionally, Glenn Burley stated that as the government is moving to accelerate the mass distribution schedule, frontline NHS staff plan to receive the coronavirus vaccine within a few weeks.

The UK government has introduced new legal regulations allowing the vaccine to be approved solely by UK authorization without EU approval if safety and efficacy are confirmed, even before the Brexit transition period ends on December 31.

The memo also stated, "The vaccine will be administered in two doses, with the second dose given 28 days after the first."

The Daily Mail reported growing hopes that once the vaccine is available, COVID-19 restrictions tightening the UK since March will also be eased.

Diane Wake, CEO of Dudley Group NHS Trust, recently said at a hospital board meeting, "We hope the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to healthcare providers in December. Although not yet confirmed, we also hope to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to our staff."

Earlier, the UK government purchased 100 million doses of a vaccine administered in two shots. According to government plans, frontline NHS staff and care home workers will be vaccinated first, followed by those aged 80 and above.

Meanwhile, regarding the Oxford vaccine, the UK is conducting human trials which have been ongoing since April. Approximately 20,000 volunteers worldwide are participating in this trial. Scientists have not reported any 'robotic immune responses' or serious vaccine-related side effects.