More than 4 million people in the UK have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the largest vaccination programme in British history.
According to data released by the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHS vaccinated a total of 4.06 million people between 8 December and 17 January, including more than half of those aged 80 and over and more than half of elderly care home residents.
Read more: COVID-19: New Oxford vaccine rolled out to general practice services
‘This is the biggest medical deployment in British history and it’s one of the biggest civilian operations that this country’s ever undertaken,’ said Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock.
This figure is more than double the number of vaccinations, per person per day, than any European country and, according to the Government, is a significant step towards hitting the Prime Minister’s target of offering vaccines to the top 4 priority groups by the middle of February. This group of around 15 million people accounts for 88% of COVID deaths
Read more: Flu vaccine uptake among over 65s highest on record
‘We’re on track to deliver our plan to vaccinate the most vulnerable groups by the middle of February, the groups that account for 88% of COVID deaths,’ added Mr Hancock.
‘Our approach is, of course, to save as many lives as possible – as quickly as possible and to reduce the pressure on the NHS.’