Health services across the UK have now administered 57.8 million vaccines, including 36.9 million people with their first dose and 20.8 million with both doses.
More than 70% of adults in the UK have been vaccinated with a first dose of a coronavirus jab. Nearly 40% of people have been vaccinated with both doses. The Government claims it met its target of offering a vaccine to the most vulnerable by 15 April and remains on track to offer a first dose to all adults by the end of July.
Read more: COVID-19 – 50 million does of vaccine administered in the UK
‘Vaccines are turning the tide against this pandemic and I’m incredibly proud the UK has one of the highest uptake rates in the world, with 90% of people saying that they have had or will have the jab,’ said Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock.
‘Strong evidence shows the vaccines protect you and your loved ones from serious illness and they also reduce transmission, which is why we’ve introduced additional surge measures in the areas with rising cases of the variant first identified in India.’
Read more: Measuring the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine
Under new guidance, appointments for second doses have been brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks for the remaining people in the top 9 priority groups who have yet to receive both doses.
‘The fastest and most successful NHS vaccination programme in history continues to roll out at speed thanks to NHS staff and volunteers, with 7 in 10 adults receiving their life-saving jab and two in five receiving both doses,’ said Mr Hancock.
Read more: A day in the life of a vaccination centre manager
Bookings are booming with over a million appointments made in less than a week since the NHS vaccination programme opened up to people in their 30s – people aged 36 and 37 can now book their jab.'