Majority of Britons believe Covid vaccination programme should run 24/7, poll finds

Adults are finding this national lockdown harder than the first and would be willing to have the vaccination at 3am if it meant being able to go out sooner, a poll has revealed.

A survey of 2,000 adults revealed many are finding this national lockdown harder than the previous ones, with just 10 per cent finding it easier.

Despite this, the public is seven times more likely to support the government's decision to have the lockdown than avoid one and many even think the rules should be stricter than they were in March 2020.

To help get the UK out of the crisis, 70 per cent believe the vaccination programme should be a 24/7 operation, with almost two thirds willing to have their vaccination in the middle of the night.

The survey, conducted by Medicspot, a company providing private Covid testing and GP services, also found over half of respondents are concerned about a loved one's mental health during the latest lockdown.

And as the rates of infection soar and hospital admissions increase, three quarters are worried about the long-term damage the pandemic is doing to the mental health of healthcare professionals.

Many reported they had also witnessed members of the public being verbally or physically abusive to supermarket staff trying to do their job over the past month.

It also the majority of people think those who refuse to wear a mask inside a shop should be fined, while just under a quarter believe they should face both a fine and a criminal record.

The findings follow a number of U-turns from the government, including the decision to close schools. This was backed by 68 per cent of the public.

A spokesperson for Medicspot said: "The UK has been badly hit by the latest wave of coronavirus and it is clear the public's mental health is also being affected.

"However, the UK has bought into the latest lockdown and as a nation, we are leading from the front with our vaccination programme.

"It's welcoming that so many are willing to get up in the middle of the night for their jab as the vaccine appears to be crucial in leading us out of this terrible pandemic."

The survey also revealed seeing family was the part of life people are missing out on most, followed by seeing friends.

More than four in 10 of those polled via OnePoll are missing being able to eat out, while 41 per cent long for the days of being able to go on holiday.

The research follows the announcement that further countries have been removed from the UK's travel corridor.

Medicspot carried out the research after experiencing a 50 per cent increase in people ordering its Fit to Fly Certificates, which are issued by doctors to people who test negative for Covid-19 allowing them to leave the UK.

They found many have had their holiday plans impacted by the lockdown, while 72 per cent are concerned about booking a summer holiday due to changing restrictions.

A spokesperson for Medicspot added: “Not being allowed to go for a bite to eat or see a loved one would have sounded absurd a year ago but the last 12 months have been an extraordinary period in history.

“The vaccine programme is up and running and the nation is making progress - and we’re hopeful that it won’t be long before we’re hugging loved ones and heading on holiday again.”

SWNS