We can’t let vaccines create bad incentives that make things worse

We are starting to vaccinate our way out of the pandemic, but we shouldn’t let that make us complacent about the underlying problems, writes Graham Lawton

By Graham Lawton

I RECEIVED the first dose of my covid-19 vaccine a couple of weeks ago, and it felt like a moment of liberation. By coincidence, it went into my arm on the anniversary of the announcement of the UK’s first national lockdown. As I write, we are eagerly anticipating the gradual lifting of the third such lockdown and the return of some freedoms: a walk with friends, a drink in the pub, a swim in a lido.

The UK’s well-organised vaccine roll-out has played a huge part in bringing us to this point and we are indebted to the National Health Service – although …