Covid: Hancock confident jab works against Indian variant

The UK has "increasing confidence" that Covid-19 vaccines work against the Indian variant of the virus, the health secretary has said.

Scientists believe that the variant is more transmissible and cases of it nearly tripled to 1,313 in the past week in England.

But Matt Hancock said early lab data showed vaccines remained effective.

He said the majority of those in hospital in Bolton - a hotspot for the Indian variant - were unvaccinated.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Hancock said that it was "quite likely" that the variant would become the dominant strain in the UK.

He said: "What that reinforces is the importance of people coming forward for testing and being careful because this isn't over yet.

"But the good news is because we have increasing confidence that the vaccine works against the variant, the strategy is on track - it's just the virus has just gained a bit of pace and we've therefore all got to be that bit much more careful and cautious."

Mr Hancock defended the easing of lockdown rules in England from Monday and said the government's strategy was to "replace the restrictions with vaccination" as the first line of defence against the virus.

A decision on whether all legal restrictions could be ended next month would be made on 14 June, he added.

He also confirmed over-35s would be able to book their Covid-19 jabs in England in the coming week.

In Bolton there are 18 people in hospital with coronavirus, with the majority of those not having the jab despite being eligible, the health secretary said.

He added that five people had ended up in hospital having had one jab, while there was one who had received both doses but was "frail".