RESEARCH showing that a single dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine provides sustained protection against Covid and cuts transmission of the virus by two-thirds has been hailed by Blackburn with Darwen's public health director.

New data from three trials found that the first shot conferred on average 76 per cent protection against symptomatic infections from three weeks until 90 days, and reduced transmission of the disease by 67 per cent.

Professor Dominic Harrison said: “This is undoubtedly the best news we have had since the first vaccine was passed for use before Christmas.

The validation for all of the vaccines by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority required vaccines to be assessed for safety and efficacy. They generally showed that vaccines would prevent hospitalisation and deaths in those vaccinated but the did not present or collect information on whether those vaccinated would also be resistant to either being infected or being infectious to others.

"The latest data on the AstraZeneca vaccine shows that if you are vaccinated, transmission of the virus to others could be reduced by 67 per cent. This is really good news.

"It means vaccination both protects those vaccinated and others who could potentially still have become infected from a vaccinated person. If this additional prevention effect is confirmed for all the vaccinations then it could significantly accelerate our pandemic exit date. This does now mean that it is even more important for everyone to get vaccinated.

"It also suggests vaccination not only protects the vaccinated and saves the NHS from being overwhelmed but it is also going to play a key role in the prevention of transmission across all higher risk communities. There will be a very strong argument for accelerating vaccination rates in high risk communities or in areas with ‘stubborn transmission rates such as Pennine Lancashire. Consideration should also be given to vaccinating all BAME communities at a faster rate to the general population."