Boris Johnson has failed to rule out keeping lockdown restrictions in place for longer if a new variant reduces the effectiveness of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
The Prime Minister said he was "very confident" in the coronavirus vaccines in use in the UK, following fears the Oxford jab may be less effective against the South African strain.
He insisted there was "no doubt that vaccines generally are going to offer a way out" of lockdown. But Mr Johnson failed to rule out a delay to easing restrictions when pressed on what would happen if the Oxford jab proved less effective against the South African variant.
At least 147 cases of the variant have been found in the UK but an expert warned it is "very possible" the strain is already
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