Boris Johnson has warned that the reduction in coronavirus infections, hospitalisations and deaths "has not been achieved" by the rollout of COVID vaccines.
The prime minister, speaking the day after the latest easing of lockdown restrictions, instead said it was the national shutdown that had been "overwhelmingly important" in driving down COVID rates.
Comment: Lockdowns have been in effect for nearly a year and apparently it's only now that they're working? Is there a more likely explanation? One might be that the coronavirus, and the flu, are seasonal and both will be in decline at this time of year in the UK.
Nearly 40 million vaccine doses have now been given across the UK, with those aged between 45 to 49 now able to book their jab appointments.
Comment: Lockdowns have no only had detrimental psycho-physiological effects on people, resulting in weaker immune systems, but by limiting contact with others they've potentially made next year's flu season worse: British Covid modellers predict 'severe flu next winter because lockdowns prevented usual herd immunity'