THE CHIEF medical officers for Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have said delaying second doses of coronavirus vaccine so more people can have the first jab is the right decision to tackle "this pandemic which is running rampant in our communities."

In a statement to others in the medical profession, they said: "We recognise that the request to reschedule second appointments is operationally very difficult, especially at short notice, and will distress patients who were looking forward to being fully immunised.

"However, we are all conscious that for every 1,000 people boosted with a second dose of Covid-19 vaccine in January (who will as a result gain marginally on protection from severe disease), 1,000 new people can't have substantial initial protection which is in most cases likely to raise them from 0 per cent protected to at least 70 per cent protected.

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"Whilst the NHS, through all of your work, has so far vaccinated over one million UK patients with a first dose, approximately 30 million UK patients and health and social care workers eligible for vaccination in Phase 1 remain totally unprotected and many are distressed or anxious about the wait for their turn.

"These unvaccinated people are far more likely to end up severely ill, hospitalised on in some cases dying without vaccine.

"Halving the number vaccinated over the next two-three months because of giving two vaccines in quick succession rather than with a delay of 12 weeks does not provide optimal public health impact.

"We have to follow public health principles and act at speed if we are to beat this pandemic which is running rampant in our communities and we believe the public will understand and thank us for this decisive action. We hope this has your support."