It also appears to spread more easily and give less protection from reinfection
About 1.7 million more people were added to the shielding list last week
Scientists say they are "overall very, very impressed" with the jabs
Nine more people have died with the virus and more than 300 new positive cases have been recorded
A total of 17,582,121 people in the UK have received a first dose
The Government has said the four tests are currently being met.
There are fears it could be more contagious than the original virus
Professor Mark Woolhouse said that schools do not appear to drive the epidemic
"It was the way that we used the tier system that we need to do different this time"
Researchers warn leaders cannot rely on 'crisis effect' for long-term pandemic handling