UK VIRUS What was said about vaccines at the coronavirus government press briefing today?

A CORONAVIRUS briefing has been held by the UK government most evenings as a way to inform the public on the latest developments of the pandemic.

Here is what was said about vaccines in tonight’s briefing.

What time is the daily coronavirus government briefing?

The briefing began at 5pm this evening.

The coronavirus updates will be announced at a media briefing in Downing Street.

What did Alok Sharma say at the briefing?

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, spoke at tonight’s government coronavirus briefing.

Alok Sharma said that the government have been following scientific and medical advice, taking the right steps at the right time.

The government has been working to increase NHS capacity by providing more beds, staff and life saving equipment to help tackle the virus.

He reiterated that the current social distancing measures will remain in place for at least the next three weeks, stating that the worst thing we could do now is to cause a second peak by relaxing the restrictions too soon.

He acknowledged the fact that social distancing requires the public to make sacrifices and understands that it is challenging, but emphasised its importance in order to defeat coronavirus.

Sharma said that the government has set up a vaccines task force to accelerate the development of a coronavirus vaccine – one that is hoped to be made available as soon as possible.

The task force will be facilitating trials, working in the UK and internationally.

He confirmed that the government has green-lighted 21 research projects – with £14m going towards them.

He said that we cannot put a date on when we will make a vaccine, but hopes that through the best of British scientific endeavour, it will be available soon.

Sharma last chaired the briefing on April 1 where he was joined by Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and PHE Medical Director and Director for Health Protection, Professor Yvonne Doyle CB.

Sharma opened the briefing to reinforce the action plan of aiming to slow the spread of the virus and protect the NHS.