Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine has been found to be 95 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19 as it passed all final safety checks.
The company said the jab is now ready to be presented to regulatory authorities for market approval.
It comes as the government warned it is “too early” to know whether coronavirus restrictions could be eased at Christmas, the government has said.
Business secretary Alok Sharma made the remark amid reports the government is considering a plan to “save the holiday”, with discussions ongoing about whether to lift any restrictions on indoor gatherings over Christmas so several households can form a “bubble” for a short period.
– Tougher restrictions could be needed either side of Christmas to allow holiday to go ahead
Dr Susan Hopkins, the medical adviser to the government’s Covid-19 response, has suggested tougher restrictions could be needed either side of Christmas if curbs are to be eased over the festive period.
She told a Downing Street briefing: “We are very keen that we have a Christmas as close to normal as possible.
“That requires all of us to make every effort over this national restriction period and even in early December to get the cases as low as possible and to reduce the risk of transmission within households and between families.
“A final decision will rest with the government and we look forward to hearing what those plans are.”
