Experts in UK warn jabs giving ‘false sense of security’ following 'exponential growth' in case number

When asked about the possibility of a delay to freedom from restrictions, the UK's Environment Secretary George Eustice said nothing could be ruled out

More than 39 million people have been given a first jab and a further 25.3 million have had both doses. Picture: Tim Goode/PA

The UK’s vaccination programme is offering a “false sense of security” amid a mounting third wave of infections, according to British government advisers who have called for next month’s unlocking to be delayed.

Professor Ravi Gupta, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said that with the UK in the grip of an “early” third wave of Covid-19 infections, ministers should consider pushing back their target of scrapping all Covid measures on June 21 “by a few weeks”.