The U.K. has defended its decision to delay second doses of vaccines as the best way to combat the coronavirus, as more countries adopt a similar strategy in a race against rising cases and deadlier strains.
In an interview on Sky News, U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Sunday there is high confidence the first dose provides "decent efficacy” against the virus and that the plan will speed vaccinations across the country.
"You want to get as many people to have as much protection as possible, as quickly as possible,” Hancock said. "This is the way to save most lives fastest.”