Kate Garraway says she feels ‘physically sick’ about Christmas alone without seriously ill husband Derek

KATE Garraway today revealed she feels "physically sick" about the prospect of Christmas without husband Derek Draper who remains seriously ill in hospital.

The Good Morning Britain host, 53, told co-star Ben Shephard she was dreading being at home with children Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11, without support from family and friends.

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She said: "I feel physically sick actually. I can feel my chest tightening at the thought of it, and the total panic at Darcy, Bill and myself on our own at Christmas unable to visit Derek because of restrictions, and that huge emotional hole.

"I don't know how to fill it, without friends and grandparents to fill it. It feels like such a significant moment."

Ben said he would be round "in a heartbeat", but if current guidelines continue through to December 25 it won't be a possibility.

It came as they discussed whether or not allowing households to mix over the festive period was a wise move.

Health chiefs are hoping to unite the UK under a common rule that enables households to mix indoors for a limited period.

Derek remains in intensive care following his coronavirus battle which began in March.

Last month, Kate told The Sun that Derek had mouthed the word "pain" - his first word after 214 days in intensive care.

Yesterday she explained exactly how the coronavirus vaccine works on the body as a mass roll out edges closer.

GMB shared the latest update on the pandemic after scientists claimed the Pfizer vaccine is 95 per cent effective.

Kate explained how a vaccine would safely teach our bodies to fight Covid-19 by stopping us catching the virus or making it less deadly.

She said: "Scientists take the part of the virus's genetic code with the distinctive spike protein. They then put this into a fat droplet that is injected into the patient.

"The code triggers the immune cells in the patient's body to make the spike protein. So, the immune system then reacts to the presence of the spike protein, by making antibodies which then go on to block the virus and the T cells which destroy infected cells.

"If the real virus appears in a body then these antibodies and T cells will fight it."

She added: "Complicated but also fascinating and it looks like a strong hope".

Pfizer was the first company to report its vaccine is effective, with its latest data showing the jab is 95 per cent effective at preventing Covid-19.

On Monday, Moderna followed suit and become the second firm to announce their jab is 94.5 per cent effective. Their vaccine is yet to pass the final safety check stage.

Now the latest results from a new Oxford jab - thought to be among the front runners - has raised hopes that we could have three approved jabs within weeks.

The UK Government has 100million doses of the jab pre-ordered, with four million of those likely to be available by Christmas - if it's given the green light.

Oxford Uni's Covid vaccine triggers an immune response in all ages - including the elderly, new results have shown.

In a major breakthrough it was found to "trigger a robust immune response" with no serious side effects in those aged 56-79 and the over 70s.