COVID-19: Vaccines will only have 'marginal impact' on NHS winter pressures, chief medical officers warn

COVID-19 will keep hospitals under continued strain in the coming months as new vaccines will only have a 'marginal impact' on patient numbers over winter, the UK's chief medical officers have warned. In a letter written to healthcare colleagues, the group - which includes England's Professor Chris Whitty - also said that festive gatherings were likely to put additional pressure on the NHS. 'Winter is always a challenging time for the NHS and wider health and social care service. This year will be especially hard due to COVID-19,' it said.