'SOME of the best news we have had for months' — Isle of Wight Council executives have responded to the positive steps forward a Covid vaccination has taken.

Speaking at a meeting of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, the latest breakthrough in a Covid-19 vaccine, which could be available very shortly, was deemed a really exciting step.

The roll-out of the vaccine will initially be delivered to those housebound and in care homes, before it goes to GPs.

The Island's GPs will work from patient lists to deliver them, ensuring only Islanders will have one.

Chief executive of the council, John Metcalfe, warned however that although the vaccine is on the horizon there is no timescale yet for the whole Island community to be vaccinated, meaning people should still stick to the guidelines.

He said: " We will start with the most vulnerable first but it could take us to March, or even longer, to do everyone depending on how things develop.

"We should not look at the fact there is a vaccination around the corner as an excuse to relax and go about our business as we did before because there is still a real challenge for us all."

Director of public health for the Island, Simon Bryant, laid out how he believed the vaccination will work and reassured people the Island's supply of the vaccination, when it arrives, will be for Islanders and not people coming across for one from the mainland.

He said: "Because it is 90 per cent effective, it will be a two-dose vaccine.

"Of those that have the first injection, 90 per cent will likely to be protected and then there will be another one which will take you up to 99 per cent.

"If the whole community is vaccinated it means in that little bit where the vaccine hasn't worked, people will be protected by herd immunity."

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Bryant said as soon as it is safe to be rolled out, having gone through all the necessary trials, he would recommend having it.

Cllr Stuart Hutchinson, cabinet member for Covid-19 recovery, said he would be very happy to have the vaccine as it will give everyone the necessary immunity to get on with our everyday lives.