Don’t go ‘wild’ this Christmas public urged as Boris Johnson suggests most who need it will get a vaccine by Easter

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but it is also the season to be jolly careful’

The public has been urged not to go “wild” this Christmas as Boris Johnson forecast that the vast majority of those most at risk from Covid-19 would receive a vaccine by Easter. 

During a televised press conference, Mr Johnson warned "we're not out of the woods yet" despite the news that a third vaccine successfully protects against the disease.  

He added: "This is not the moment to let the virus rip for the sake of Christmas parties.

"Tis the season to be jolly, but it is also the season to be jolly careful - especially with elderly relatives."

While he said he could hear the “drumming hooves of the cavalry coming over the brow of the hill….they are not here yet”.

Even if everything goes according to plan, Mr Johnson said it would be “months” before the UK could be sure that everyone had a vaccine. 

But he offered hope by saying that with a “favourable wind” the UK should be able to inoculate the vast majority of those most in need of protection against Covid-19 by Easter.  

A note of caution was sounded by the chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, however.  

Urging people not to go “wild” when restrictions are eased around the festive period, Prof Whitty warned the expected “loosenings” were “going to come at a risk”.

Ministers have announced the current system of lockdown will end in England next week.

It will be replaced by a series of tiers, each with different restrictions, which are expected to be in place until next March.

Taking questions from member of the public, Mr Johnson stressed that no vaccine would be compulsory.  

However, he said members of the public should want to receive one.  

And he hit out at those who peddle conspiracy theories around vaccines.  

“I totally reject the propaganda of the anti-vaxxers; they are wrong - vulnerable people, people who need a vaccine should definitely get a vaccine.

"Everybody should get a vaccine as soon as it is available," he said.  

The latest positive news surrounds the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

In the past fortnight Pfizer and Moderna both also announced that their vaccine candidates successful protected against Covid-19.