COVID Vaccine given to 15 million people in the UK

[Gimme More 35,802]

More than 15 million people in the UK have now had their first coronavirus vaccine, in what Boris Johnson described as a "significant milestone".

The PM hailed the "extraordinary feat", reached just over two months after the first jab was given on 8 December.

It comes as the government is expected to announce on Monday it has met its pledge to offer a jab to everyone in the top four priority groups in the UK.

The rollout is now being expanded to over-65s and the clinically vulnerable.

In a video, Mr Johnson praised a "truly national, UK-wide effort", adding that in England the jab had been offered to all those in the top four priority groups. 

Wales has also met the target.

But "no-one is resting on their laurels," Mr Johnson said. "We've still got a long way to go to. And there will undoubtedly be bumps in the road. But after all we've achieved, I know we can go forward with great confidence."

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said the 15 million milestone was a "remarkable shared achievement" - reached 10 weeks after the first vaccine was administered in the UK.

"The NHS vaccination programme is the biggest and fastest in Europe - and in the health service's history - and that is down to the skill, care, and downright hard work of our fantastic staff, supported by local communities, volunteers and the armed forces," he said. 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it meant one in every four adults was now "starting to receive protection from this dreadful disease". 

But he cautioned: "There is so much more to do and I urge anyone eligible to step forward and take up their appointment. The vaccine is our route to freedom - we will beat this virus jab by jab."

So far the vaccination programme has been aimed at the top four priority groups, including NHS frontline staff, care home residents and workers, over-70s, and people deemed clinically extremely vulnerable.

These groups have accounted for 88% of the UK's Covid-19 deaths so far, according to the Department of Health and Social Care and are estimated by the JCVI to be some 15 million people. 

A small number of the 15 million to receive a jab will have been outside these priority groups.

The UK is currently administering doses of two vaccines approved by the medicine regulator - the Pfizer-BioNTech jab and the one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.

A third vaccine, made by US company Moderna, has been approved but supplies are not expected to be available until spring.

The UK is also lined up to receive at least three other vaccines if they are approved for use.

Its vaccination rate is the third highest in the world, behind only Israel and the UAE.

Source: BBC

Approx dates

[Better Day 5,766]

Bojo still doesn’t get off scot free. Him and his party should be in jail #freescotland

[elijahfan 27,499]

When will the French 

[Gimme More 35,802]

6 minutes ago, Miss Dolly said:

Bojo still doesn’t get off scot free. Him and his party should be in jail #freescotland

Free us from a Conservative government 

[vyniildisk 12,689]

meanwhile in Mexico only 500 k have been administered 

[Guest]

Really good job, would be different if part of EU

[Better Day 5,766]

5 minutes ago, KanyeWest said:

Really good job, would be different if part of EU

Don’t make me laugh

[TheAlexer 1,343]

32 minutes ago, KanyeWest said:

Really good job, would be different if part of EU

Because then they'd have to share them equally like compassionate people would instead of keeping it all for themselves

 

Germany is also a direct producer of vaccines just like the UK. We could do the exact same numbers right now but you know what that would be? Selfish.