Covid UK news: 800,000 vaccine doses likely by year end as infection rates drop across most of England

Morning, and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coronavirus coverage. 

Dr Anthony Fauci, the US’ top infectious disease expert, has apologised for suggesting that the UK rushed through its approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. 

My colleagues Matt Mathers and Zoe Tidman have the details: 

Top infectious diseases expert claims FDA is doing it the ‘correct way’

UK regulator defends Pfizer vaccine rollout

The UK’s medicine regulator has defended the speed of its decision to approve the Pfizer jab, saying it did not compromise on safety. 

The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: “We have rigorously assessed the data in the shortest time possible, without compromising the thoroughness of our review.” 

The agency added that it began to review vaccine data at the start of October. 

Biden vows to take coronavirus vaccine in public

The US president-elect Joe Biden has promised to receive his Covid-19 vaccination in public to reassure the American people about its safety. 

America has not yet given regulatory approval to any vaccine, so Mr Biden’s vow will have to remain just that for the time being. 

South Korea sees highest rise in Covid cases in 9 months

Authorities in South Korea have expressed concern about a spike in coronavirus cases, after reporting 629 new infections, the highest daily increase since early March. 

“Please hold online celebrations especially for Christmas, religious events and New Year sunrise festivals if possible, and we urge you to not host any parties or events at hotels,” said one health official. 

NHS to start vaccinations on Tuesday

Appearing on BBC Breakfast, Chris Hopson described the vaccination rollout as a “marathon…not a sprint". 

“We’re looking forward to the race starting on Tuesday,” he added. 

German minister calls for extra restrictions in worst-affected areas

German health minister Jens Spahn has said that further Covid-19 measures should be introduced in areas of  the country with the highest transmission rates. 

“Where there are higher numbers of infections in Germany, in my opinion there is a need for additional measures to reduce the number of contacts beyond what has been agreed,” he told the broadcaster ZDF. 

As of Friday, Germany has reported 1,130,238 Covid-19 cases and 18,034 deaths from the virus. 

Alcohol ban to come into effect in Wales

Wales will ban pubs, restaurants and cafes from serving alcohol from 6pm on Friday in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus. 

A £340 million package will be made available for the hospitality sector, he added. 

Mr Gething acknowledged that the decision would have a “really significant impact” on the businesses affected but said the Welsh government had to act “to keep Wales safe and to keep people alive”. 

Cyber security director says ‘we are as protected as we can be’ against hacking threat to vaccine supply chain

A director at the National Cyber Security Centre has said it is doing all it can to ensure vaccine delivery is not affected by cyber attacks. 

Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Dr Levy said the threat “had changed during the course of the pandemic and the community has evolved its defences to try and make sure we are as protected as we can be". 

England’s wellbeing in decline, warns report

England’s wellbeing is in “freefall", according to a report into the nation’s happiness levels. 

This study comes as part of the Carnegie UK Trust’s Gross Domestic Wellbeing (GDWe) index, which measures whether life is improving by tracking 10 different areas including relationships and the environment. 

Jennifer Wallace, head of policy at the Carnegie UK Trust, said GDWE was declining before the pandemic, so “it is likely to be in freefall now”. 

Ms Wallace called on the government to tackle inequalities across the country. 

Here’s my colleague Adam Forrest with the details: