Health Secretary: A coronavirus vaccine is many months away

Synopsis

The UK government outlines its strategy to combat the coronavirus, emphasizing the importance of containing the virus. Health Secretary discusses the plan with John McDonald, highlighting that immediate treatment and contact tracing are crucial for every confirmed case. Most cases in the UK originate from individuals who contracted the virus abroad, particularly from countries like China. The government allocates £40 million for vaccine research, acknowledging that a vaccine from the World Health Organization is still many months away. The strategy also includes delaying the virus's peak and preparing for potential mitigation if the virus becomes endemic, similar to situations in France, Germany, and Italy. The Health Secretary stresses the need for the NHS and society to be ready for various scenarios as the situation evolves.