Coronavirus live: Vietnam reports first case of new Covid variant; Irish health officials warn virus is ‘absolutely rampant’ – latest updates

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9.22am GMT

The deputy chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, Prof Anthony Harnden, has defended government plans to delay the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine from three weeks to 12 weeks after the first jab.

Prof Harnden told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that patients he had dealt with accepted the decision, explaining:

When it was explained to them that the vaccine offers 90% protection for one dose, and the priority was to get as many people vaccinated in the elderly and vulnerable community as possible, they understood. I think the country is all in this together. And, I think we really, really want to pull together to try and do the best strategy possible.

9.07am GMT

Thai health authorities have recommended tougher restrictions on businesses and people’s movement in 28 provinces, including the capital, Bangkok, as the number of new Covid cases rises.

The measures include suspending some businesses and crowded activities, as well as advising people in affected provinces to work from home and avoid unnecessary travel.

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อาการของโรค #โควิด19 pic.twitter.com/rv4AFYF4zE

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