More than 25MILLION Brits have now received their first Covid jab just 100 days after first shot was dished out, Government announces
More than 25million Britons have had at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, the Government has announced.
The milestone, which means almost half of all adults have been jabbed, was hit yesterday exactly 100 days after the mammoth rollout launched.
Latest figures show 25,273,226 Brits have received the first injection of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca‘s vaccine, while 1,759,445 of them have had their second dose.
The Department of Health said it was on track to achieve the Prime Minister’s target of offering the first dose of all adults by August.
The rollout in England officially opened up to people over 50 today, while Wales started inviting over-50s for shots earlier this month and Northern Ireland expanded its roll-out to the age group two days ago. Scotland will start offering those in the 50-54 age group appointments from next week.
Boris Johnson said: ‘This latest milestone is an incredible achievement – representing 25million reasons to be confident for the future as we cautiously reopen society.
‘Thank you once again to the brilliant NHS, scientists, armed forces, volunteers, and all those who’ve helped our rollout.’
Health Secretary Matt Hancock added: ‘This is an extraordinary feat, coming exactly 100 days after Margaret Keenan received the first authorised jab in the whole world.
‘It has been a national mission, one of the one of the biggest logistical exercises since the war and I’d like to thank everyone who played their part, including every NHS vaccinator, GPs, pharmacists, volunteers and the armed forces for their crucial role in every corner of the UK.
‘We’re ahead of schedule to offer a first dose to all in these groups by the 15 April and I urge everybody eligible to come forward.’