British health minister Sajid Javid has apologised for and deleted a tweet urging people to take a Covid-19 vaccine and not to "cower" from the virus, saying that he had made "a poor choice of word".

Javid had been criticised for using the word "cower" when tens of thousands in Britain have died from the virus and many are trying to keep safe.

Writing on Twitter, Javid said he had "deleted a tweet which used the word 'cower'".

"I was expressing gratitude that the vaccines help us fight back as a society, but it was a poor choice of word and I sincerely apologise. Like many, I have lost loved ones to this awful virus and would never minimise its impact."

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