this is bbc news, i'm reeta chakrabarti. the headlines... the official number of people to die in the uk after testing postive for covid 19 has passed 60,000. the bbc understands that some of the initial delivery of the pfizer coronavirus vaccine is being brought to the uk today, via eurotunnel. scotland's first minister and england's deputy chief medical 0fficer say every effort will be made to get the vaccine into care homes as soon as possible the top priority that the jcvi has identified are care homes for older people, and also the workers in care homes. the reason for that is the death toll in care homes has been awful. a major incident is declared following a large explosion

at a site in avonmouth near bristol — police say there have been "multiple casualties". all i heard was a big bang and the whole warehouse was shaking. like, the ground was vibrating, everything. here's the scene live at avonmouth — a police press conference is due to take place shortly. students sitting a—levels and gcses in england next year will be graded more generously, to try to compensate for lost learning during the pandemic the christmas getaway begins for university students — but they are encouraged to get tested and reduce social contact before they travel. the premier league has agreed a 250 million pound rescue package for lower league clubs in england — to stop them from going out of business — due to the pandemic.

more than 60,000 people in the uk have now died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. in the latest figures released by the government, the uk has recorded 1a,879 coronavirus cases and a14 deaths in the past 2a hours. this takes the total number of deaths to 60,113. only the us, brazil, india and mexico have recorded more deaths than the uk, according tojohns hopkins university. earlier i spoke to our health editor hugh pym about the grim milestone. been a bit of a feature of this pandemic that you can get some positive news, and then very shortly afterwards some pretty stark, gloomy reminders of how serious this is. back in early november, as you said, pfizer announced the results of its trial, and literally two days later the death toll

hit 50,000 for the uk. now we had great excitement yesterday about the vaccine being rolled out. today, this 60,000 figure for those commit the daily reported deaths in total in the uk. now, just to be clear, those are people who have lost their lives within 28 days of a positive test for covid. it does not include others who may have died a longer duration after a test. and there is a wider definition of the death figures. which includes all of those who may be died without having a test at all. but where covid is listed on an underlying factor on their death certificate. and that figure is more than 70,000 since the start of the pandemic. the uk's death rate expressed as a share of the population is one of the worst of any leading economies, only spain and italy have a higher death rate. so a sobering reminder of quite how

desperately vicious this virus is, the effect it has on lives, and it's a reminder of the need for social distancing and people to take great care, to take great care, and to go along with the guidelines. and of course it emphasises why a vaccine is needed. and that is the good news that from next week this vaccine will start being rolled out. a major incident has been declared after an explosion at a waste water treatment works near bristol caused multiple casualties. emergency services were called to the site off kings weston lane in avonmouth around ii.20am today. avon fire and rescue service said there were multiple casualties, and some injuries were serious. "we are joined by avon and somerset police kieranjenkins was working nearby when the explosion happened. 11:20, something like that, an explosion. the whole warehouse was shaking. and we literally stood there in shock, because we thought everything was going to fall. and then people started coming out

from the warehouses over there. the next thing you know, we look out the windows and all we saw is people running and, yeah, it was like we don't know what happened. no one knew what had happened. it was a bit of a shock, really. certainly some large explosion? yeah, yeah. fingers crossed, no one is hurt and hopefully everything is all right. you didn't hear anything? i heard a bang. when i was inside the warehouse, i was with my colleague aaron and the next thing you know, the whole warehouse is shaking. we were stood there, like in shock, because everything was shaking. we didn't know what was going on. and everything is all metal in there. if something falls on us, do you know what i mean? so you heard a big bang, you haven't seen anything? no, i didn't see anything. all i heard was a big bang and the whole warehouse was shaking. like the ground was vibrating, everything. let's go straight to avonmouth now where police are giving a statement. we are waiting for the police to

give a statement, and once they do start doing that we will bring you that as it begins. the first doses of the pfizer—biontech covid—19 will arrive in britain very soon. it was given the green light by uk medical regulators yesterday — and the firstjab could be given as early as monday. england's deputy chief medical 0fficer professor jonathan van—tam has insisted every effort will be made to get the newly—approved vaccine into care homes as soon as possible — despite the logistical challenges. the vaccine has to be kept at minus 70 celsius, and can be exposed to higher temperatures only under strict conditions, for a limited time. our health correspondent anna collinson reports. it is the day after what has been called a day to remember. the uk has now approved its first coronavirus vaccine. now the next challenge is getting it to patients. the pfizer and biontechjap needs to be transported from belgium and the bbc understand some of the initial delivery will travel

via the eurotunnel today. there is a technical issue related to the pfizer vaccine that we currently expect to receive very shortly in the uk, and i do mean hours not days. there is a technical issue related to the cold storage. age is by far the biggest risk factor when it comes to coronavirus, so older age groups were to be prioritised. but as priority meets reality, there has been some trade off. taking a straight now to avonmouth where there is a please press conference. following a major incident of bristol water recycling centre in avonmouth earlier today. emergency services were called at approximately 11:20am to reports of approximately 11:20am to reports of a large explosion involving one of the chemical tanks off of kings westi n the chemical tanks off of kings westin lane. the fire service lead the rescue operation but sadly

despite the best efforts of all those involved, we can confirm there have been four fatalities. those involved, we can confirm there have been fourfatalities. this includes employees. specially trained officers have this afternoon made contact with each of the families of those individuals and informed them of the sad news. this is the tragic incident, and our thoughts and subthemes go after them. it will continue to provide them. it will continue to provide them with more support that they need at this difficult time. if that person was also injured but their injuries are not believed to be life—threatening. a thorough investigation will be carried out to what happened today involving a number of agencies and the health and safety executive in due course. we will not be speculate on the cots explosion while such work is being undertaken. i can confirm, though, that this is not being treated with a terror related incident. the explosion happened in a silo that

has treated by a sonics as an organic soil conditioner. i can assure people living in the air by area there is not any believed ongoing public casey direct safety concerns. we urge the members the public to avoid the area of possible losses emergency operation is ongoing. i like to pay tribute to all the emergency services who have visited with today's operation, incredibly difficult and challenging circumstances. are there any questions? have you found that the people are carrying out maintenance work? that will be established during the course of the investigation. the search of the site has been completed, and we believe that all are now accounted for. you mentioned biosolids and

attacked, is there any information you can provide us about what that actually is, and was there some sort of gas involved... the product inside the tank was used in the water treatment sewage process here on site. i think the investigation will go on to determine what caused that explosion. i was speaking to a worker a short time ago who said it is like treated sewage that is dried and then used but can give off methane gas, is that something you are aware of? i can state that a solid material within that tank and there's no further risk within anybody within the local community.

i don't have that information. sorry. i don't know that information, sorry. 0k, thank you. thank you. our group manager with the fire rescue service, and ousted a public incident commander. 11:22am we received a call saying there was a large explosion behind me our initial crews attended within five minutes, and in totalwe initial crews attended within five minutes, and in total we have six fire engines, turntable letter, urban search and rescue teams, and to search and rescue dogs unseen. we have indicated for casualties who are unfortunately confirmed as deceased. 0ur are unfortunately confirmed as deceased. our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of all of those affected in today's incident. terribly sad incident. i

don't like to pass on to my colleagues and also the teams in dealing with a very, very challenging incident. it was a very challenging incident. it was a very challenging incident. it was a very challenging incident. luckily our local fire station is not too far away so local fire station is not too far away so we local fire station is not too far away so we had crews in attendance very quickly, and they were able to get a situational awareness to allow us get a situational awareness to allow us to create a plan and deal with it effectively. we converse with police virtually the same sort of time, used principles with police, an ambulance and emergency services a huddle to

it determine our risk assessment and prior to the incident. once he clearly defined those are teams got to work very quickly on the incident. on unable to confirm that, sorry. was there any fire before or after, orjust explosion happened? we attended an explosion and had no report of fire. one other casualty. i'm currently unaware of the position of the individual. we believe the other individual. we believe the other individual has life—threatening injuries. can you explain what is in that tank, i don't quite understand what was in the tank? it was described to me as solid biomass.

line type productions of the used in the treatment process here on site. —— product. thank you. the treatment process here on site. -- product. thank you. so that is a press co nfe re nce -- product. thank you. so that is a press conference confirming that there have been four fatalities press conference confirming that there have been fourfatalities in that incident in avonmouth. the police officer in charge said that three of them were employees of wessex water, the owners of the tank and one was a contractor. there was and one was a contractor. there was a fifth person injured as well although those injuries are not thought to be life—threatening. we also heard fair that they're very clear that this was not a terror related incident. in a silo that holds treated biosolids and we had little bit more about that, the are

solids, and they‘ re little bit more about that, the are solids, and they're said to be no further security concerns for anyone living nearby. that goes towards reassuring people who are in the vicinity. we heard also from the fire and rescue incident commander luke who talked about it as being a very challenging incident. i think we can now go to our correspondent phil mackey who is near the plant and was listening to all of that. just run us through what happened. is having at about 20 past 11 this morning, eyewitnesses described a large exposure in its etiquette here for miles around, they also talked about buildings or shaking, such as the strength of it. we now know there was for people that died in there was for people that died in the incident, three of whom worked for wessex and the other was contractor. you could see before it got dark that the damage that light tank which contains this biosolids

waste, the roof is blasted off. and other things have been extensively damaged as well. we are of the rescue teams that have really difficult operation when they arrived here. they unfortunately could not save the people, and another person was injured. we asked with their position was and they have not got life—threatening injury, but they're probably in a critical or serious condition at the moment. as you said they have ruled out terror incidents, is a vast area for the plant, and people who are working or living around here might‘ve been a bit nervous about at critically here the health and safety is also involved in the investigation which is currently still being led by somerset police. when people die at work that tends to what is happening. i was talking to what is happening. i was talking to one of the officers a little while earlier who had been trying to

assess the site or thereon, and they say that it's dark now and he cannot do much more, and there will be back here tomorrow. our correspondent on the scene there. everybody thinking about the families of those who have lost people in that incident, and the prime minister borisjohnson has tweeted that he is deeply saddened to learn that four people have lost their lives in the waterworks explosion in avonmouth. you can see the tweets there of course. and he thinks the emergency services that we have just heard from who attended the scene. did the fact that britain is in the process of, and had expected it, did that mean we got the vaccination ahead of the us

and eu? who got the best medical regulars, much better than the french, much better the belgians, thatis french, much better the belgians, that is not surprise me at all, we are much better country than every single one. did help that we had brexit. just being able to get on with things, deliver it with brilliant people in our medical regulator, making it happen, means that people in this country will be the first ones in the western world to get that, or in the western world to get that, or in the road to get that pfizer vaccine, real competitive advantage but do you know it's down to? it's time to those brilliant, brilliant clinicians in the regulator who made it happen so fast. the education secretary earlier. the european commission spokesman eric mamer said the uk regulator's experts are "very good" but they are "not in the game of comparing regulators across countries, nor on commenting on claims as to who is better.

the vaccine isn't approved yet in the us. 0ur correspondent gary o'donoghue is in washington — and gary there's scepticism there too about how quickly it was approved here? yes, ican yes, i can tell you that doctor anthony fauci who has really become the scientific phase of the battle against number one, not just the scientific phase of the battle against number one, notjust in this country, but as a worldwide profile he has said in an interview today that britain has rush the approval of the pfizer vaccine, he says it's akin tojoining of the pfizer vaccine, he says it's akin to joining the marathon of the pfizer vaccine, he says it's akin tojoining the marathon in of the pfizer vaccine, he says it's akin to joining the marathon in the last mile. he says it's inappropriate, and he says effectively that the british authorities and regulators in britain have taken pfizer's data on trust, i think this‘ll be a

significant problem for at downing street. gavin williamson there trumpeting the speed that the h mra have done in britain, the controversy whether or not brexit was a factor in all of that. this criticism from such an authority here i think will hurt significantly. i suppose it's also important, because doctor fauci is in expert, he's a scientist, he's not a politician. he's not a politician, he's a scientist who has been under significant pressure here. he was the face of those briefings earlier on in the year, every day at the white house. he's of such stature, really here that he is on stackable in many ways, by donald trump. that is saying something. many people turn to him for his advice, joe biden will be speaking to him in the coming days what his plans for combating covid when he takes over onjanuary 20.

for him to turn around and say when he was asked, why did the brits get there too fast he said that they rushed it. ithink there too fast he said that they rushed it. i think that will stick. many thanks, our correspondent gary o'donoghue there. more now on one of our top stories. more than 60,000 people in the uk have now died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. only the us, brazil, india and mexico have recorded more deaths than the uk, according tojohns hopkins university. i'm joined now by anna morris, who's in bristol. anna sadly lost her father—in—law to coronavirus, at the end of november. tell us a little bit about what happened, when did nikki kerb tract coronavirus and what happened? nikki contractor coronavirus probably about two and a half weeks ago now. he had a test really quickly as soon as he started showing symptoms, and we had results quite quickly. he had

passed away within the week, and as you can imagine it was a huge shock to all of us. we just cannot believe it happened. i can see you're still trying to take it in. he was 79 yea rs old trying to take it in. he was 79 years old i understand, he previous spells of bad health that he had ove rco m e spells of bad health that he had overcome and survived ? spells of bad health that he had overcome and survived? he really, he really was the person you said have nine lives. hejust really was the person you said have nine lives. he just bounced back get illnesses as a child at the his aduu illnesses as a child at the his adult life as well. and he always ove rca m e adult life as well. and he always overcame it. you know, he was a true fighter and incredibly strong man. so he was diagnosed two and a half weeks ago, this all happened at tremendous speed. what happened, did he go to hospital? he did not go to hospital. his last wish while he was

still able to make one was that he wa nted still able to make one was that he wanted to stay at home, and the home that he had lived in for over 50 yea rs that he had lived in for over 50 years and brought up five children and had also looked after many, many other children for a variety of reasons. he stayed home his wonderful daughter debbie who nursed him with two of his other carriers, they nursed him over that week. it was incredibly difficult for us to manage because obviously we could not see him we could not hold his hand, and we could not say our goodbyes. but he got what he wanted, he slipped away peacefully after only seven days of fighting. this must be like a complete of the blue for you as a family. it is. it's strange. i was saying to somebody earlier it's almost as if, you know it can hit any of you at any time,

but when it comes and knocks on the door of somebody that you love it's absolutely horrendous stop we know it when somebody has a condition or something that might be terminal, but the desk and we had no idea what was coming. and when it did it was a huge blow to the entire family and the community that he came from. he was a true bristol lien through and through, and i know the community will mourn his loss when we can possibly know, and the shock, it just, it has resonated. we've such an outpouring of love and support from the community. but it's going to ta ke from the community. but it's going to take us some time to get over this, andi to take us some time to get over this, and i cannot stress enough how shocking this is when it finally becomes part of your world. and i, we mourn him with you and we

sympathise very much. thank you for speaking to us so feelingly. the education secretary gavin williamson says the changes will compensate for the disruption to teaching caused by the coronavirus pandemic. labour says its rate of the peoples who have missed the most lessons will still lose out. her education editor reports. heading home to self—isolate, year 11 at the secondary school. just before it was confirmed, some shared their gcse fears with me. i have a lot of worries about gcses because i really feel like there is not much being done about the amount of time we missed. i prefer to be in the school to learn, so the disruption to that isjust going to really knock my focus off my education. i know that students and teachers are making an enormous effort to catch up with any lost learning. to support those most affected

by the continuing disruption, the end ofjanuary students are going to be given advance notice of some other topic areas that will be assessed in their gcses and a—levels so, with narrowing down the topics in each subject help? i think that will be the most beneficial thing, one of the most beneficial things that they can do, because it really, like, gives you that tiny bit of hope that we need at this time. how will gcse and a—level exams work in 2021? grades will be more generous than normal, mainly in line with 2020. advance warning of some topics will be given, but not the questions. some study aids will be allowed — that could be a formula or a vocabulary list. and special measures will be used to work out grades for an exam missed. after a term of covid disruption, the does give schools a bit more certainty, but they are going to have to wait

until january to find out what topics will be in which exam papers. and there is still one big unanswered question — how do you take account of the fact that some kids have missed so much more learning than others? so, an expert group will look at that bigger picture, but grades are not likely to be adjusted. and here they are worried about disruption after christmas. if we stick to the plan and the continued disruption across the country happens right through until, whether it is march, april, i think we are going to have a massive impact on the well—being of younger people and families, and we are going to see a very unfair system and probably a return to the debacle of last year. northern ireland also plans to hold exams, but in wales, they have been cancelled. whilst scotland only plans to have exams for highers. schools are still dealing with coronavirus. faith in these plans will be tested

in the next few months. branwen jeffreys, bbc news. university students in england and wales are starting to go home for christmas from today — although under strict coronavirus rules. students across the uk are facing extra checks before they can be reunited with the families. and their return in the new year will be staggered — with some not going back until february. damian grammaticas reports. ready, set, all systems go. beginning today the great christmas getaway. these are the first students in the queue for free rapid tests here at anglia ruskin university in cambridge. a quick swap and a two hour wait is all it takes. going home to my family, so ijust wanted to make sure that i was safe to go home. those with the all clear need to travel as soon as possible, but if you are found to be carrying the virus, you have to wait and self—isolate.

doing the test now, though, means there is still enough time to quarantine and get home for christmas. i would like to know whether or not i will be, i suppose, endangering my family. but obviously if i get the test and it comes back positive, i will not be going back. so it isjust peace of mind i suppose. and students do not have to do this, testing is voluntary. so, around the country, tests are happening. here in london, in newcastle the infrastructure in place, and in st andrews in scotland. across the uk the aim is to try to limit the risks. so university christmas plans vary. in england and wales, students are being asked to travel by the 9th of december. in scotland and northern ireland, no set window, instead staggered dates to avoid a surge of travellers all at once. and for the new university term after christmas, a slow delayed return from early january until february to avoid a repeat of the campus outbreaks earlier this year. so, when they come back injanuary, we will be able to test them

when they come back on the campus. they will get to tests, and if they are negative of course they can start their courses straightaway. if they were positive, they would have to get a test from the nhs and then they would go into a self isolation period. students are much more aware now that they can be vectors spreading covid—19, so the hope as most will seek to protect their families. five seconds of uncomfort versus being in hospital with tubes down you, it's not really much of a question, is it? but what is a question is whether reuniting families for the holiday and then bringing students back again can be done without ceding new infections. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. hello there. it has been a cold day today, the wettest weather has been across england and wales. but it is a bit messy overnight tonight because that wetter weather pushes more towards the eastern side of england, into eastern scotland. and as it moves into the colder air,

we are going to find it turning to snow in scotland. some snow over the northern pennines, the cumbrian fells, showers for wales and the south—west. some wetter weather running into the south—east of england and east anglia. a cold night, of course, patchy frost for england and wales, more widespread frost in scotland and northern ireland. some icy conditions here. the snow in scotland could bring some travel disruption early on. snow will tend to turn to rain. it will push down towards northern ireland on stronger winds. the rain clears the south—east of england, up across east anglia, into northern england. could be a bit of sleetiness in there, some snow developing over the pennines, but it should turn drier through the midlands and southern england in the afternoon. perhaps some sunshine, but a cold day and feeling colder because the winds will be stronger as well. over the weekend, it calms down, the winds do tend to drop, gradually it will turn drier. dry for most on sunday, but still cold. hello this is bbc news. the headlines:

four people have died in a large explosion at a waste water treatment works in avonmouth — a major incident is declared. the official number of people to die in the uk after testing postive for covid 19 has passed sixty—thousand. the bbc understands that some of the initial delivery of the pfizer coronavirus vaccine is being brought to the uk today, via eurotunnel. scotland's first minister and england's deputy chief medical officer say every effort will be made to get the vaccine into care homes as soon as possible students sitting a—levels and gcses in england next year will be graded more generously, to try to compensate for lost learning during the pandemic sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. sta rt start with the primary league and the english football league agreeing a rescue deal to protect lower league football club some going on there and at the coronavirus

pandemic. the total amount available comes in at £250 million but it is broken down differently between the championship league 1 and the detail, the championship clubs £200 million of loans will be available partly secured by the primary leak who will help cover a £60 million of interest. and for league 1 and need to do there is the option of grants totalling £15 million and it follows months of negotiations between the two governing bodies. the efl chairman first elected the game today as in april when he spoke to abc ms select committee and this talk has been ongoing for some considerable time. they thought one of the stipulations of the premier league and football allowed to receive him after lockdown injune was that they would pay this money over to the efl in order to sustain

the game at a professional level but they the unit has taken a long time to negotiate and it looked for a while as though it was not going to be done. it is done now but the issueisit be done. it is done now but the issue is it is a loan and not a giveaway and this money has to be paid back. arsenal will welcome back fans tonight for their europa league match against rapid vienna. 2000 supporters will be allowed into the emirates for the game. the gunners are four wins out of four so far in their group. but they lie just fourteenth in the premier league and mikel aterta know they need to improve. with the love i have for this football clu b with the love i have for this football club to achieve the level that this club deserves and what it ta kes, that this club deserves and what it takes, believe me it takes time and this is not a month or three months, this is not a month or three months, this is not a month or three months, this is time and time and time and a lot of the decisions and a lot of support and this is where we are and

iam support and this is where we are and i am ready to fight and ready to fight all the way through because i believe that we can do it. tottenham are at lask in one of the early kick offs and only need a draw to secure their qualification to the knockout stage. leicester are already through — they face zorya luhansk. under pressure celtic boss neil lennon will see his side face ac milan — with celtic bottom of their group... and rangers need a win at home against standard liege to make the last 32. championjockey 0isin murphy has spoken for the first time since being banned for testing positive for cocaine. in an exclusive interview with bbc sport the irishman admitted that his reputation has been damanged. he's serving a three month ban, and says that investigators had accepted that he hadn't taken the drug. i became aware of a situation where cocaine was present in my environment and i saw it there and i

did not remove myself from that situation it immediately and ran you sign for your chucky licence every year you have got to abide by the rules and that was my error and i have very much no self—pity. i made a mistake and i have got to live with the consequences. andy sullivan is the man to catch at the dubai championship. sullivan added a second round of 66 to his opening 61 atjumeirah golf estates for a halfway total of 17 under par. that gives him a three—shot lead over fellow englishmen matt wallace and ross fisher. world number one judd trump is through to the quarter—finals of the uk championship. he held off a fightback from ricky walden to win 6 frames to 3. he will face kyren wilson or former world champion graeme dott next, with the pair meeting in the evening. we'll have more for you in sportsday at half past six.

and now on the news channel it's time to take a look at what you've been asking about vaccines, it's your questions answered. to answer your questions, i'm joined by dr elisabetta groppelli, a virologist and lecturer in global health at st george's university of london and drjennifer rohn is a cell biologist at university college london. we have had so many questions about vaccines covering a very wide area. let mejust leap vaccines covering a very wide area. let me just leap in. vaccines covering a very wide area. let mejust leap in. kevin asks about people who had a confirmed positive test for cultic 19 and

should they require a vaccine? is it a very good question and i dare say lot of people asking himself this question. essentially, yes, he should the vaccine because it is well known that protection will not be as robust and vaccines are known to be more powerful so even if you had some of their mild infection you might not have good antibodies so definitely go and get the vaccine. is the pfizer vaccine, and the other vaccines currently being assed by the british regulator, able to combat the virus if it mutates? their interest virological question because as we know that viruses do change and even if coronavirus mutates let's —— less than other viruses like the flu it is very crucial that we keep monitoring the

genetic sequence of the virus so that it can make sure that they vaccine matches eight and activity monitoring and matching is something we already do for the flu virus and the flu vaccine. once you have the hoop —— blueprint for the vaccine then what you need to do is tailor it and target it for the new circulating strain without actually having to go back to design a new vaccine and regulating and stacking the trials again. so far, then vaccines match the second meeting strain cell a thumbs up for the currently approved pfizer vaccine. will people be tested for covid prior to receiving the vaccine?

i think the answer is no because you will not be ruled out of having the vaccine if you have been in —— infected. the important thing is you don't go off to a vaccine centre if you actually have covid—19 or an active case of a. if you are scheduled to get the vaccine i then you come down with covid—19 you need to self— and postpone your vaccine because there is no reason why you need to be tested and people will not be tested before getting the vaccine. it is up to which category you fall in after when you get vaccine rather than the weather you've got covid—19 or not? vaccine rather than the weather you've got covid-19 or not? yes. is the vaccine safe for those classed as clinically vulnerable with a compromised immune system? generally speaking clinically vulnerable, yes, in the sense that they have been identified as a high priority group for actually getting the vaccine but specifically for

immunocompromised patients activity we need to say that no current trial of their coronavirus vaccine has actually embroiled amy immunocompromised patients and this is not surprising because vaccines work by stimulating an indian system and the indian system needs to be functional so we have a good response and people who might be taking immunosuppressant drugs or have an immunodeficiency generally speaking cannot take the vaccine. but this is very important that if there vaccines protect not only from disease but also from infection it becomes crucial that anybody that can take the vaccine does sell so they protect themselves but also indirectly also potentially immunocompromised patients and about the technology of the vaccine, it's

quite promising because then you vaccine like pfizer and new technologies that do not rely that the old school vaccines on the virus themselves so they are inherently safer. so obviously the trials and the monitoring you need to continue to address this specific question. once you have taken the initial vaccine i do you have to repeat this procedure every year to remain vaccinated? that is the £6 million question at the moment, we do not know. the first people on the trail who got thatjob first people on the trail who got that job they first people on the trail who got thatjob they have only been inoculated for a few months and we don't know what's going to happen next year. people are thinking it's based on other coronavirus like the common cold the immunity might sway in after a year but we do not know

that yet on the worst case scenario which is not that bad is the end up with a seasonal annualjob as we do for the influenza virus. but that's where need enough supplies of course? if the same with any vaccine that you have to take if it's important we will get those supplies in place. will it be safe to have the vaccine with long covid? long where one is not well understood and it is a general term that actually manifests itself in lots of different ways with lots of different symptoms and also various symptoms so what appears to be premier is actually consequence of the infection is not an ongoing infection in itself and this is a link to the fact that because it is protracted that it actually might be

that's because some time has passed since the infection and immunity has gone down and in this case it would be great to actually have the vaccine so that's there is the stimulation of the immune system and for our long—covid patients and at the moment there is no indication that the farmer industry or the regulators have pointed out about long—covid sufferers not being appropriate for the vaccine so it looks like it seems like a good idea that we help with preventing that and it might not happen and have anything to do with helping with long—covid on the symptoms themselves. if i have my firstjab with one vaccine and for whatever reason they run out can i have my second with another companies vaccine?

that's a great question. the answer is definitely no. of these vaccines have been carefully tested so if you wa nt to have been carefully tested so if you want to have a trail of the pfizer vaccine you have to have two jab of that vaccine and there is no data testing by mixing the vaccine. in theory it might work but it definitely will not be allowed. if you have been chosen to have a particular vaccine they are going to store to doses just for you and they will not run outs during half of the chorus. so it is an unfounded fear? yes. i am 71yrs and a long covid sufferer having had the virus at the end of march. my antibody test was negative injune so will the vaccine be safe for me? there are three elements and one is hmb other one is long—covid and then the negative antibody test and its

leaves two criteria of the situation, age, and the fact that the antibodies are negative means absolutely not only the vaccine is safe but it would also help and be needed. when it comes to long—covid asi needed. when it comes to long—covid as i said just before we do not know if it can help, at the moment it does not seem likely to be a contrary indication to avoid the vaccine self hopefully it will be one of the first ones to be in the very first group to actually be offered the vaccine and not many weeks to late yet. i understand the oxford vaccine is derived from chimpanzee flu. what is the pzifer vaccine derived from? actually chimpanzee called virus. the pfizer vaccine and the mentor

andi the pfizer vaccine and the mentor and i vaccine are a new way of making vaccines. they had never before been used. basically the coronavirus has all they spike both and the pfizer vaccine just the blueprints to make this by ability and so it is an rna, blueprint that's injected into the muscle of the arm and that persuades yourself to make lots of spiked proteins and the body is fooled into thinking it's a real virus and it learns how to respond to it. so this is a new way of doing it it's different from the previous vaccines but expect anyone to watch because it's a great modern platform and once you get this vaccine working we could put all kinds of different viruses in there and hopefully this will open up there and hopefully this will open upa new there and hopefully this will open up a new future for combating pandemics quickly. are all the vaccinations safe if you have a severe lung problem?

obviously there are different categories and types of respiratory conditions and lung conditions. generally speaking however, if you have a respiratory condition you are at greater risk of becoming more severely and seriously air when it comes to a respiratory infection like the flu, for example or the coronavirus and this is normally because i'm infection will add an extra strain to a situation when the lungs are not working well and so we can actually make things worse. so, in this case, in the flu vaccine situation again, it seems like having the coronavirus will help in preventing the disease at least and it should be indicated even if there

isa it should be indicated even if there is a problem, however i have to say every single case and individual case especially, we need to be particularly access with their clinical team that takes care of you and in this case stick with the practitioner because they will be able to access the situation but generally speaking it would be a goodidea generally speaking it would be a good idea to protect the lungs from the coronavirus infection with the vaccine. if a vaccine is 94% effective how will you know if you are one of the 6% who is not protected? the only regular know is when you get infected. so it is mysterious how some people do not respond to vaccines and some do it because everybody is different and everybody has a slightly different immune system and immune response. but 94% isa

system and immune response. but 94% is a very high success rate for a vaccine. if you are one of the unlucky 6% in some ways it will not matter, if enough people get the vaccine you will be protected, even if it does not protect you directly, through herd immunity and the vaccination programme with a high u pta ke vaccination programme with a high uptake everybody should be protected so 95% is a great rate and we are really lucky back 20 days. thank you so much to both of you. a suspected people—smuggling gang believed to have been responsible for bringing hundreds of people into the uk in small boats has been broken up by immigration enforcement. the group is suspected of being involved in more than 600 people crossing the channel in small boats in may alone. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford reports.

smashing their way into the property ofa smashing their way into the property of a suspected people smugglers. officers from immigration enforcement in northwest london this morning. the suspect was the 14th to be detained from a group of syrians accused of organising scores of dangerous channel crossings. the 36—year—old was having a significant role in handling the huge amount of money they generated. the man arrested here this morning a suspected of being part of a criminal gang involved in moving more than 600 people across the channel in small boats in one single month. more than 8200 people have crossed the channel in small boats so far this year. that is over four times the total in the whole of last year. the french authorities have been accused of not doing enough to stop the dangerous trade. last weekend a uk government promised 31

million euros for new surveillance equipments. the home secretary said today that the french have stepped up today that the french have stepped up their efforts. they have actually been going into the water to stop boats from thinking and to save lives and it's absolutely the right thing to do. this has been the point that we have been making from day one. these routes are dangerous. lives have been put at risk. on one day earlier this week the french stopped 200 people leaving for bj's while on the 20 migrants made it to the uk. there is a concern that if the uk. there is a concern that if the home secretary succeeds in making this route unviable as she has promised, the people smugglers will just adapt. has promised, the people smugglers willjust adapt. one potential unintended consequence is that this solidity to what we call displacement. the soul because they channel route has become so difficult and has become more unviable that migrants who are desperate to get to the uk with instead take other journeys

desperate to get to the uk with instead take otherjourneys such as by stoning away on larry's and that kind of thing. 39 people died in a trailer last october and there is a risk that once the cross channel traffic because the pandemic is over, trucks will become the favoured means of transport once again. pubs, bars, and restaurants will have to close injersey by midnight to try to tackle the biggest surgeon coronavirus cases on the island since april. what has been called a hospitality circuit breaker is likely to be in place until early january. the chief minister says there is a real and immediate risk to health services in jersey. here's that report. the plan seems to be working. six months when summer felt much like normal and unlike its sister island, jay-z normal and unlike its sister island, jay—z opted to keep its borders open. the island was confident that

it's rigorous testing combined with an infected track and trace the stamp would contain covid—19 cases. but as autumn crept in a minority who ignored the rules have turned their plan on its head. last night, their plan on its head. last night, the island's government revealed that cases have almost tripled in a month. with a population ofjust over 100,000, jersey had 300 cases and writing. that puts it among the uk's worst affected regions. and writing. that puts it among the uk's worst affected regionslj and writing. that puts it among the uk's worst affected regions. i know clinic these measures represent a significant restriction particularly at this time of year. when we want to be celebrating and spending time with loved ones and friends. but we need to prevent health services from being overwhelmed and to ensure we are still able to celebrate during the festive period. so, from tonight, all hotels, pubs, bars, restau ra nts a nd tonight, all hotels, pubs, bars, restaurants and indirect story affected —— facilities will close and will stay closed throughout christmas and into the new year.

they will be financial help one offer but it is a bitter blow to a set there hoping to reapply for some earlier in the year. i don't think anybody in this industry that does not understand everything of it but we just wish the second breaker could have been done a lot earlier. so we could have had this festive period. i know they say the number went there to do it but everybody in their right mind neil we were heading towards the sleigh. for now. shops will stay open but only if they can guarantee to meet her distancing. the government is still trying to establish who or what is responsible for this spike in cases and they say they're doing all they can to protect the population but there's a great deal of anger and frustration which could get worse if the measure is now in place do not help the outbreak than this island could spend its christmas under total lockdown. time for a look at the weather. it's

been a cold day everywhere today. we have got another winter mix of weather to come tonight and into tomorrow. a ring to receive in highland scotland and some temperatures did not get much above freezing. for england and wales it was cold and wet and miserable. a lot of cloud streaming in from the atlantic. he cloud coming down and showers for west wales and southwest of england. this area of cloud will ta ke wet of england. this area of cloud will take wet weather into the southeast of england and east anglia and the elect whether we are seeing across northern england will go into scotland. as it moves into the icy cold we will find snow falling and paces cold we will find snow falling and pa ces over cold we will find snow falling and paces over the northern areas for a while. a patchy frustum over england and wales. into the morning, snow could be a problem in scotland. early on in the day, this option. mainly on high routes. they will be smell it on low levels but it will turn to rain. rain can be a problem

through the day particularly in east and scotland. heavy rain bringing flooding and the strong wind will push the rain into northern ireland. the arrows on the north coast. wet weather clear as to the southeast and moves up into northern england. there will be snow and for the meetings it does become a lot drier with some sunshine. it's a cold day and it will feel colder because the wind will be stronger. strong wind around the area of low pressure bringing wet weather. a logo over the weekend and into france and gradually over the weekend it will turn dry and quiet with the wind eating as well. but we are still in the cold air. temperatures will not improve. we have got some wet weather around on saturday particularly for england and wales. some sleet and snow over the district and some wet weather coming into eastern parts of scotland. northern ireland and eastern areas of england should become drier and brighter as well. but temperature is still struggling to find. overnight

as the wind drops and sky clear as there may be mixed and foggy and low cloud. it could linger in some central areas throughout the day. particularly cruel —— cold. it will bea particularly cruel —— cold. it will be a tribe day and left letter has gone and i will be sunshine coming through. it is there a cold day on sunday. despite the wind and highs of six.

tonight at 6: more than 60,000 people have now died in the uk with coronavirus. yet another family left grieving — 79—year—old mickey morris died within a week of falling ill. it's going to take us as individuals, as family members, as a country and a whole world, a long time to recover from something like this. rolling into the uk from belgium — the first doses of the newly approved pfizer vaccine are expected today. we'll have the latest on who will get it and how quickly. also tonight... four people have been killed after a blast at a water treatment site near bristol this morning — police have declared a major incident. this is a tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies go out to them. those officers will continue to provide them with all the support