Vaccinating the elderly will do little to stop the spread of the virus, say some scientists. That’s because while over-75s are most likely to die from the disease, they are also least likely to catch it.
Three-quarters of those in intensive care are now aged under 75. Care home residents and staff, NHS workers and the over-70s are the top priority for receiving one of three vaccines now approved.
But Prof Christina Pagel of University College London said: “Over-75s are not the main spreaders so vaccinating will have an impact on death but not transmission.” And Prof Gabriel Scally, President of Epidemiology at the Royal Society of Medicine, added: “My great fear is that we’ll be carried away with enthusiasm for vaccinating those at highest