The coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford stops up to 90% of people from developing symptoms, a trial has suggested.
Researchers, who carried out a large-scale trial of 20,000 people, say overall the vaccine is 70% effective.
But they added this rose to 90% in a group of volunteers who were given an initial half dose, followed by a full dose.
A further 18,662 cases were also reported, meaning the country has now topped 1.5 million cases. The respective death and case totals is now 55,024 and 1,512,045.
Meanwhile the Treasury said £1 billion of the NHS package will go towards catching up on checks, scans and operations that were delayed by Covid-19.
Around £1.5 billion will be used to ease existing pressures in the health service, and £500 million will help support mental health services.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson is set to announce a move to scrap self isolation for contacts of people who test positive for coronavirus, as part of major a shake up of the track and trace system.
The Prime Minister is also expected to promise a major testing scheme for all of the areas forced into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions when England returns to a tiered system next month.
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