Boris Johnson has appealed for over-80s to continue observing lockdown restrictions after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine after a new study found more than 40 per cent had breached them.
According to a survey released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 43 per cent of the 2.6 million over-80s who have received at least their first jab admitted meeting someone not in their household or support bubble indoors.
For those who had already had their second dose of the vaccine, this figure climbed to 48 per cent.
The UK’s medicines regulator has said coronavirus vaccines tweaked to deal with variants will be fast-tracked without compromising on safety or effectiveness.
The approach will be similar to the regulatory process for the modified flu vaccine, to deal with new strains each year, with a brand new approval not required.
Scientists have previously said a Covid-19 variant resistant to the current crop of vaccines is likely to emerge at some point, but vaccines can also be adapted quickly.
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