UK Politicians Claiming 'Vaccination Live'... "We Will Get COVID Vaccine in Front of the Public"

Matt Hancock, UK Health Secretary: "Effective in Persuading People to Get Vaccinated"

Matt Hancock, UK Secretary of Health, is holding a virtual press conference at 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's residence in London, UK, on the 30th of last month (local time). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Key politicians in the UK, the US, and other countries have expressed their intention to receive the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine live on broadcast. This is to boost public trust and encourage voluntary participation in vaccination as the vaccine rollout approaches following emergency approval.

Earlier, on the 2nd (local time), the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted emergency approval for the world's first COVID-19 vaccine developed by the US-based global pharmaceutical company Pfizer in collaboration with Germany's BioNTech. The UK government plans to begin vaccinating vulnerable groups, including the elderly, starting next week.

Meanwhile, ministers responsible for vaccine distribution and vaccination programs have volunteered to receive the vaccine themselves. Matt Hancock, the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, appeared on the British ITV talk show "Good Morning Britain" and announced, "I will get the COVID-19 vaccine live on air."

When the show's host, Piers Morgan, stated, "If authorized, I plan to get vaccinated live on Monday morning to encourage vaccination," Secretary Hancock responded, "I will join you."

He added, "There is a priority order for vaccination, so special approval would be needed for us to do that. However, if the public considers it reasonable, I am willing to do so. If it is effective in persuading people to get vaccinated, it is worth doing," he emphasized.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is making a gesture during his visit to the Jenner Institute at Oxford University on September 18 (local time). / Photo by Yonhap News

According to local UK media such as the BBC, The Guardian, and ITV, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also reportedly considering a so-called 'live vaccine administration broadcast.'

When asked at a briefing whether there is a possibility that Prime Minister Johnson would receive the COVID-19 vaccine on TV, a spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister's Office replied, "I don't think it can be ruled out."

However, they explained, "The vaccine is meant for vulnerable groups who should be vaccinated first," and "The Prime Minister does not want to be vaccinated before them."

The UK government plans to prioritize vaccination for residents and staff of care homes, frontline healthcare workers in the National Health Service (NHS), and other vulnerable and essential personnel.

In particular, according to recommendations announced by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), a government advisory body, the priority age group for vaccination is those aged 80 and above. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Johnson, who is 56 years old this year, is not in the priority group and would require special approval to be vaccinated early.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.