Matt Hancock announces Covid press conference TODAY: What time will Health Secretary address the nation?

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announced this morning, February 26, that those aged 40-49 will be prioritised for ‘phase two’ of the coronavirus vaccine rollout – the next stage after over 50’s and those with underlying health conditions have been given their first dose.

Now, Health Secretary Matt Hancock will give a press conference from Downing Street to update the nation on the vaccine programme, and what the plans for the next stage are.

This could include when the whole nation is expected to be vaccinated, and when frontline workers such as teachers and police offers will be prioritised.

When will he give the press conference?

Matt Hancock will give his Downing Street press conference today, February 26, at 5pm.

The Health Secretary will be joined by England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam, and Dr Susan Hopkins, senior medical adviser at Public Health England.

What is he expected to say?

He is expected to outline the plans for the next phase of the vaccine rollout.

This will include all those aged 40-49, followed by all those aged 30-39 and those aged 18-29.

This is on the back of ‘hitting the target’ with the first phase of the vaccine rollout with key workers and those over the age of 70 prioritised.

18,691,835 people have currently received their first dose of the vaccine in the UK, with the second dose total hitting over 700,000.