AN Essex MP has quizzed how the Armed Forces may be used to help the NHS during the pandemic and vaccine rollout.

Sir Bernard Jenkin, MP for Harwich and North Essex, was speaking during debate in the House of Commons yesterday.

Mr Jenkin asked health secretary Matt Hancock about virus mutation resistance to vaccines and utilising the Armed Forces.

He said: “What contingency plans there are if there is a mutation that proves resistant to either of these vaccines and we have to be in these measures for longer, and will he consider in particular we have drawn barely on the numerous people in the Armed Forces to create extra NHS capacity.

"We could do so much more of that if necessary, is that part of the plan?”

Mr Hancock replied: “Yes, it’s very much part of the plan, it’s happening right now.”

He added: “Of course, as with flu, with flu mutations mean that we have to change the vaccine each year for flu and we may have to update any vaccine in the future, but that is not our understanding of the situation now, of course that’s being double-checked and tested.

“Our goal is … that by the middle of next month we plan to have offered the first dose to everyone in the top four priority groups and they currently account for four out of five Covid fatalities.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a Downing Street press conference at 5pm today and is understood to be speaking about the vaccine rollout.

NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens will be joining Mr Johnson.