Adulterous lovers have their own reasons for wanting a coronavirus vaccine, with hopes it will let them 'safely' carry on with their illicit affairs, according to new research.
So far, more than 600,000 people across the UK have received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine including NHS workers, the elderly and the vulnerable.
But there's another community desperate to get their hands on it - with married dating website Ashley Madison saying 39 percent of members want the vaccine so they can continue their affairs safely.
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Most of Ashley Madison's 2,400 members surveyed said pandemic restrictions were to blame for being trapped at home with a partner they no longer love - something that's resulted in a boost in sign-ups to the app and website, up by a third from 15,000 a day to 20,000.
Psychologist Lucy Beresford, a sexual relationship expert who worked alongside Ashley Madison on the research, said: "We've had a lot of feedback from members keen on the vaccine so they can safely meet up again, instead of relying on virtual sex 'affairs'.
"People are obviously longing for close physical contact from their lovers after such a long time without seeing them."
Ashley Madison member Hayley, 38, from Yorkshire, signed up to the site in January this year.
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Hayley - who asked for any further details to be withheld - said: "I can't wait to have the opportunity to get the vaccine.
"It's definitely been a little lacklustre without being able to meet up with the man I've been having an affair with.
"Being able to do so without having the thought of potentially catching Covid-19 hanging over me will be a relief."
Hayley said it had been impossible to continue her affair during the first and second lockdowns, but admitted she broke the rules to meet one partner.
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She said: "It's been pretty difficult to keep anything going with anyone since lockdown started.
"I have had one encounter with a man I met before lockdown, despite knowing this was against the rules - and I've had phone sex with another."
Hayley said her husband doesn't know about her affairs, but is considering asking if he'd be up for an open marriage.
She said: "I haven't exactly drifted away from my husband, we've always gotten on really well.
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"But the physical side of things is practically non-existent right now and I've missed having that with someone."
Ashley Madison's research also found that under half (49 percent) of those questioned hadn't had sex with their spouse at all since the start of the pandemic in March, while those still sleeping with their other half said it was happening less frequently than before the pandemic.
One in five said they had nothing in common with their spouse anymore, and that their relationship revolves more around the kids, with one in four saying they are prioritising their own happiness by seeking out an affair.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News, News, Dating, vaccine