Vaccine minister reveals uncle died from coronavirus last week waiting for first jab

The UK’s vaccine minister has revealed he lost his uncle to COVID-19 last week and said it has made him “determined” to deliver doses as soon as possible.

Nadhim Zahawi, who oversees the Britain’s vaccine deployment, said the relative was eligible for a jab but was infected before receiving it.

He told Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain: “It’s painful, and it’s closer to home than you think, Piers, in terms of losing relatives and family.

“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.

Credit: Good Morning Britain / ITV