BORIS Johnson today hailed the “amazing” vaccine rollout as the first jabs were dished out across the country.
But he warned that one in three people were still “secret spreaders” and passing it on without symptoms and begged the nation: “we can’t afford to relax now”.
The Prime Minister watched nurses administer the world’s first clinically approved vaccination this morning at Guy’s Hospital in London, and spoke to nurses and patients getting it.
He said it was “amazing to see the vaccine” but stressed that it was too early to completely let the foot off the gas just yet.
Boris told reporters this morning: “It will make a huge difference, but we are not there yet.
“We have not defeated the virus yet.
“People need to understand the virus is still rising in some parts of the country. We got it down as a result of the measures in November. We can’t afford to relax now.”
It would take weeks and months to get it rolled out to all those who need it, he said, but added: “I am extremely proud of what we have done.”
He warned that many people still don’t realise how easy it is to pass the virus on without having any idea.
Boris warned: “1 in 3 people are passing it on without symptoms – they are secret spreaders. People need to realise it is very easy.”
He told a patient waiting to get the vaccine: “You are leading the flight path” and said to her to “recite some poetry” to take her mind off the sharp needle prick.
