UK advocates for vaccine dose delays as approach grows stronger

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The United Kingdom defended its decision to postpone the second dose of vaccines as the best way to fight the coronavirus, while more countries adopt a similar strategy in a race against the increase in cases and new strains.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday that there is great confidence that the first dose provides “decent effectiveness” against the virus and that the country’s plan will speed up vaccinations across the country.

“You want as many people as possible to have as much protection as possible, as quickly as possible,” Hancock said in an interview with Sky News. “This is the way to save most lives more quickly.”

Governments around the world are fighting to review vaccination programs, as research shows that strains from the UK, South Africa and Brazil are more contagious or possibly even more lethal than the original virus. And countries are increasing restrictions on international travel, as scientists assess whether existing vaccines are as effective against variants.

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