Severely obese people will be given a coronavirus vaccine before healthy over 60s because they are considered more at risk, official guidance has confirmed.
People with Body Mass Indexes (BMI) of more than 60 and aged between 18 and 65 will be prioritised for the vaccine, according to official instructions.
Experts say obesity is a top risk factor for a severe illness with deadly Covid-19, with the severely overweight twice as likely to die.
The Public Health England (PHE) guidance rolled out this week placed the morbidly obese above older adults in the queue. The booklet outlines which groups are considered 'at-risk' adults who should be prioritised ahead of healthy over-60s.