Here are the coronavirus morning headlines for Friday, October 1, as new research has found that it is safe for people to get coronavirus and flu vaccines at the same time.
A clinical trial found that reported side effects were mainly mild to moderate, and there was also no negative impacts on the immune response produced by either vaccine when both were given on the same day, in opposite arms. Read more about how 63% will opt to get a flu jab this year.
The Combining Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccination (ComFluCov) study looked at whether it was safe to give both jabs together.
2021 will see the UK’s biggest NHS flu programme roll out in history, with over 35 million people due to receive the jab, and booster coronavirus vaccines are also being administered. Covid booster vaccine explained here.
Researchers say the results reinforce current coronavirus booster vaccine guidance which is for both jabs to be given together where it is practically possible.
Dr Rajeka Lazarus is consultant in infectious diseases and microbiology at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) and chief investigator for the ComFluCov study.
She said: "By conducting this study we have been able to establish that it is possible to protect people from both Covid-19 and flu at the same appointment.
"This is a really positive step which could mean fewer appointments for those who require both vaccines, reducing the burden on those who have underlying health conditions and would usually be offered the influenza vaccine."
Dr Lazarus added: "This is already happening.
"These data have been shared with JCVI and with MHRA to help support the regulations that they've already made in preparation for this season."
Two Covid and three flu vaccines were tested, meaning six combinations in all. The most common side effects were pain around the injection site and fatigue.
Some combinations saw an increase in the number of people who reported at least one side effect when both Covid-19 and flu vaccine were given together, but the reactions were mostly mild or moderate, researchers found.
Read more: All the latest coronavirus news here.
Wales' First Minister concerned about more relaxed approach in England
Mark Drakeford has raised concern about the UK’s more relaxed approach to Covid restrictions, suggesting this seemed to be prompting some people in England take more risks.
In an interview with The Guardian, he also admitted that he hadn't spoken to Prime Minister Boris Johnson since June, with no future date in the diary for any talks.
He said "Coronavirus is absolutely not over. The numbers are far too high, the pressures on our hospitals are real. Our view is we need to build our defences as high as we reasonably can. For us that is building them higher than the UK government for England has chosen."
Surprised by how few people were wearing masks on his recent trip to the Labour conference in Brighton, he added: "On the whole you still see people in Wales understanding it’s a very small thing you’re being asked to do but it adds up to another important protection. There is a different attitude across the border.”
The First Minister also said he was worried that flu would put the health service under even greater pressure this winter. Read more about his concerns around the October peak here.
“The health service is flat out," he said. "We’re relying on people who are exhausted and scarred by what they have gone through. Our social care system is under real pressure. We do not have the pool of workers who are able to travel freely from other parts of Europe. All of these things combine to make the social care part of our system challenged. We are right to be anxious.”
The latest infection rates for Wales
Thirteen more people have died with coronavirus in Wales according to latest figures from Public Health Wales.
The data published on Thursday, September 30 also revealed there were 2,580 new positive cases, bringing the total number since the pandemic began to 355,542.
The latest seven-day infection rate across Wales based on the cases for every 100,000 people (seven days up to September 25) has seemingly plateaued and now stands at 648.1 – almost the same as the 648 reported on Wednesday.
The local authority with the highest infection rate in Wales remains Neath Port Talbot with 935.7 cases per 100,000 population over seven days, followed by Rhondda Cynon Taf with 876.6 and Caerphilly with 848.8. Cases for your area here.
Scans and tests at football stadiums and shopping centres in England to tackle NHS backlog
NHS tests and scans are to be offered at football stadiums and shopping centres in England to help deal with the backlog caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The health service is launching 40 new "one-stop shop" diagnostic centres, which will carry out a wide range of health checks following referrals from GPs.
Some of the sites will be set up in existing buildings including a repurposed retail outlet in Poole, the Falmer Stadium - home of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club - and The Glass Works shopping centre in Barnsley.
The scheme, backed by a £350 million Government investment, aims to provide around 2.8 million scans in the first year of operation.
Hubs will be staffed by teams of professionals including nurses and radiographers and will be open seven days a week.
South Africa President lobbies Boris Johnson over travel ban
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he has had discussions with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson aimed at removing South Africa from a travel "red list" that bans visitors to the UK because of Covid-19.
The UK's restrictions also mean anyone travelling from Britain to South Africa faces a mandatory 10-day quarantine when returning home, even if they are fully vaccinated and test negative for coronavirus.
Mr Ramaphosa said he "put South Africa's case" to Mr Johnson, "which he understood very well".
"We hope for a positive outcome when the subject comes up for review in the coming days by their scientists," Mr Ramaphosa said.
The South African government said last week it was puzzled at the UK's decision to keep it on the list while removing other nations like Kenya and Egypt and easing restrictions for their travellers.
South African scientists went further and criticised their British counterparts for being ignorant of South Africa's pandemic situation.
Mr Ramaphosa said British scientists were concerned over the Beta variant of the coronavirus, which was first observed in South Africa.
However, the Beta variant now only accounts for a tiny proportion of cases in South Africa, experts say, and the Delta variant is overwhelmingly dominant, as it is in the UK.
South Africa was one of a number of nations angered by the UK's updated travel restrictions, with some accusing Britain of discrimination for seemingly not recognising vaccines received in other countries.
South Africa is desperate to be removed from the list, more than anything to entice back British tourists put off by being forced to pay for an expensive quarantine stay at a hotel on their return home.
Britain traditionally provides more tourists to South Africa than any other country outside Africa, and South Africa's hard-hit tourism industry and struggling economy need a boost.
In a live speech on national television, Mr Ramaphosa also announced the easing of virus-related restrictions in South Africa and said its third wave was now officially over, with new cases falling from over 20,000 a day during the wave's peak to an average of just over 1,800 per day over the last seven days.
South Africa would revert to lockdown level 1, the lowest alert, from Friday, Mr Ramaphosa said.
That meant the night-time curfew hours were eased, bars and restaurants will be allowed to stay open a little later, and alcohol may be sold under normal licensing laws.
Alcohol sales were previously banned on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The number of people allowed at gatherings was also increased.
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