Vaccine minister reveals uncle died of Covid-19

Vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi has revealed he recently lost an uncle to Covid-19 but said the loss makes him “determined” to roll out vaccinations “as quickly as possible”.

Mr Zahawi said his relative had been eligible for a jab but caught the disease before he got the opportunity to receive it and “didn’t make it”.

Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, the minister said: “It’s painful, and it’s closer to home than you think Piers in terms of losing relatives and family.

With the UK registering nearly 100,000 Covid deaths @piersmorgan asks whether the measures are too late.

Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi reveals that his uncle recently died from Covid before he could receive his vaccine.

He says it's painful but he is determined. pic.twitter.com/imc6Yp48Ot

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) January 26, 2021

“I lost my uncle last week to Covid, but you’re right it is grim and horrible but our way out of this is the vaccination programme.

“It makes me angry, but it makes me determined to make sure we vaccinate the most vulnerable people in our country and protect them as quickly as possible and then protect the whole nation.”

He went on: “That is our way out of this, that is ultimately what we will do and I promise you I will make sure that happens.”