Vaccines are working – but these charts show why England is delaying reopening

Two-thirds of the population in England are insufficiently protected against the Delta coronavirus variant, exclusive data analysis by the Guardian can reveal. Despite promising signs that the vaccine is working – including record low hospital admissions in relation to the number of cases – this lack of immunity is critical to the government’s decision to further ease restrictions. Boris Johnson has announced a four-week delay to the last stage of lockdown reopening, which would have seen large gatherings at venues such as theatres and nightclubs allowed.