People might have to continue wearing masks until next winter even with the vaccine

The government’s Chief Scientific Adviser has warned the public not to ditch their face masks just yet. 

The recent vaccine news, something Sir Patrick Vallance described as a ‘tremendous day’ for the NHS, has raised hopes across the country of a return to normality.

However, it’s still early days and it could be many months before the general population start getting vaccinated.

Sir Patrick added: “It may be that next winter even with vaccination we need measures such as masks in place.”

“We don’t know yet how good all the vaccines are going to be at preventing the transmission of the virus.”

It is thought hundreds of people were vaccinated across 70 hospital hubs yesterday, as the vaccine began to be rolled out on what Matt Hancock dubbed as ‘V Day’.

The first to have the jab, Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old gran in Coventry, said she felt ‘privileged’ to be the first person in the world to be given the vaccine. 

Between 1.2 and 1.6 million further doses are set to be delivered next week. 

Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that people must ‘temper our joy and enthusiasm’ at the beginning of the rollout ‘with the need to keep each other safe’. 

Adding: “Let’s not blow it since we can see the answer is on the horizon.”

Ministers also warned that even those who are vaccinated should continue to follow social distancing measures until restrictions are lifted.

Sir Patrick, England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, and deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries are holding a joint session of the Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social Care Committee today.

They are set to be questioned on various topics relating to the handling of the pandemic, including the vaccine. 

The Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna jabs are currently being considered by the MHRA. 

Oxford researchers have said more detail is required on how effective their vaccine is with older adults. However they wrote in Lancet Journal that there were no admissions to hospital or severe disease in people receiving the vaccine. 

Chief investigator of the Oxford trial, Professor Andrew Pollard said it has a ‘good safety record and efficacy’.