SCIENTISTS fear millions of Brits will flout Covid lockdown rules once they receive a vaccine.
Sage scientists are worried that people who get jabs will stop social distancing and will ignore strict restrictions.
Minutes from a Sage meeting refer to a survey which found 29 per cent of people plan to relax their following of Covid rules once they receive a vaccine, the Telegraph reported.
The same survey found that 11 per cent of respondents will “probably no longer follow the rules” after a jab.
Sage is concerned that a relaxed attitude towards restrictions after people get a vaccine could more than “offset” the vaccination programme.
Scientists want the government to create a campaign to make the public aware of how important it is to follow the rules even after vaccination.
Ministers believe they are on track to vaccinate all over-70s by the middle of February, while there are plans to have all people in English care homes receive the vaccine by next week, the Telegraph reported.
JABS ARMY
Trending In The News’s Jabs Army campaign smashed its target of recruiting 50,000 volunteers to help Britain’s biggest-ever vaccine programme.
Thanks to our big-hearted readers, our goal was achieved in just an astonishing 18 days — with 51,019 signing up by last night.
They hit the milestone on the day the first Jabs Army volunteers went on duty to help those getting the Covid vaccine in North London.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock hailed Sun readers for “smashing the target” as our Jabs Army mission was accomplished.
On a momentous day for the campaign, we achieved the goal of helping the Royal Voluntary Service supply 50,000 volunteer stewards to the NHS vaccination programme.
Mr Hancock recorded his thanks during yesterday’s coronavirus pandemic press conference.
He told the watching nation: “People are helping by being a community volunteer or signing up for clinical trials — 50,000 people who have now signed up for Trending In The News’s Jabs Army. Smashing the target in the battle against this disease.
“I want to thank each and every one of you and Trending In The News newspaper for leading this effort.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson heaped praise on Sun readers for their generosity and spirit.
He said: “Congratulations and wholehearted thanks to Trending In The News for smashing through your target and enrolling more than 50,000 people to join the Jabs Army.
“It’s a great credit to your readers. Vaccinating the country is a huge national effort but with your help we will get there.”
RELEASE THEM
Meanwhile in Germany, the country’s foreign minister Heiko Maas said vaccinated people should be allowed to eat in restaurants and go to the cinema.
He told Bild am Sonntag: “Vaccinated people should be able to exercise their basic rights again.
“If there are only vaccinated people in a restaurant or a cinema, they can no longer endanger each other.
“Yes, it will lead to inequalities in a transitional period, but as long as there is an objective reason, it is constitutionally justifiable.”
Covid jabs will be diverted to areas where there is less vaccination of over-80s, The Times reported.
The move comes amid concerns that there are disparities between different regions in administering vaccines.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said vaccine stocks would be prioritised for regions falling behind in getting jabs to elderly people.
