Covid: Vaccine given to 15 million in UK as PM hails 'extraordinary feat' – BBC News

Greater than 15 million individuals within the UK have now had their first coronavirus vaccine, in what Boris Johnson described as a “vital milestone”.

The PM hailed the “extraordinary feat”, reached simply over two months after the primary jab was given on 8 December.

It comes as the federal government is predicted to announce on Monday it has met its pledge to supply a jab to everybody within the high 4 precedence teams within the UK.

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

In a video, Mr Johnson praised a “really nationwide, UK-wide effort”, including that in England the jab had been provided to all these within the high 4 precedence teams.

Wales has additionally met the goal.

However “no-one is resting on their laurels,” Mr Johnson mentioned. “We have nonetheless acquired a protracted technique to go to. And there’ll undoubtedly be bumps within the highway. However in any case we have achieved, I do know we will go ahead with nice confidence.”

Sunday’s each day coronavirus figures present 15,062,189 individuals have now obtained an preliminary vaccine dose – after 505,362 first jabs got out on Saturday.

An extra 258 individuals within the UK have died inside 28 days of a optimistic Covid check, taking the dying toll by that measure to 117,166. Fewer deaths are usually reported on Sundays, because of a reporting lag over the weekend.

There have been 10,972 new circumstances reported, bringing the entire variety of recorded infections to 4,038,078.

NHS chief government Sir Simon Stevens mentioned the 15 million milestone was a “exceptional shared achievement” – reached 10 weeks after the primary vaccine was administered within the UK.

“The NHS vaccination programme is the most important and quickest in Europe – and within the well being service’s historical past – and that’s right down to the ability, care, and downright arduous work of our incredible workers, supported by native communities, volunteers and the armed forces,” he mentioned.

Well being Secretary Matt Hancock mentioned it meant one in each 4 adults was now “beginning to obtain safety from this dreadful illness”.

However he cautioned: “There may be a lot extra to do and I urge anybody eligible to step ahead and take up their appointment. The vaccine is our path to freedom – we’ll beat this virus jab by jab.”

To date the vaccination programme has been aimed on the high 4 precedence teams, together with NHS frontline workers, care house residents and staff, over-70s, and folks deemed clinically extraordinarily susceptible.

These teams have accounted for 88% of the UK’s Covid-19 deaths up to now, in line with the Division of Well being and Social Care and are estimated by the JCVI to be some 15 million individuals.

A small variety of the 15 million to obtain a jab may have been outdoors these precedence teams.

Ruth Rankine, director of the NHS Confederation’s PCN Community of GP practices, paid tribute to the “unbelievable accomplishment” however added that “till everyone seems to be protected, nobody is protected”.

“There may be nonetheless work to do to manage first doses to all of the remaining individuals from the primary 4 cohorts, in addition to shifting down the cohorts till everybody has not less than been provided a jab, to not point out starting the work of administering second doses,” she mentioned.

Labour’s shadow well being secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, mentioned ministers wanted to “lock within the good points of vaccination” and introduce additional measures to cut back the unfold of the illness.

This included elevated monetary assist for many who should self-isolate, up to date steerage on masks and assist to make workplaces Covid safe.

It’s simple the vaccine programme has general been successful – solely Israel and the United Arab Emirates have performed extra jabs per head.

However in addition to pushing forward with the under-70s, efforts must proceed to achieve out to these not but vaccinated in these first teams.

There have been studies of housebound sufferers nonetheless ready, whereas some have questioned whether or not sufficient has been performed to achieve out to those that have issues and haven’t taken up the supply.

The worry is uptake could also be lowest in among the most susceptible communities and that dangers widening well being inequalities.

Individuals may even ask what this implies for unlocking. These provided the jab account for round 5 in six deaths however simply over half of hospitalisations.

That leaves loads of susceptible in danger – and with the numbers in hospital nonetheless above the height within the first wave, the NHS is not but out of the woods.

From Monday, the vaccination programme enters a brand new part, with over-65s and the clinically susceptible being invited to e book a jab.

The JCVI defines clinically susceptible individuals as these with circumstances together with persistent respiratory illness corresponding to persistent obstructive pulmonary illness, cystic fibrosis, and extreme bronchial asthma.

Some areas have already began vaccinating individuals aged 65 to 69, with NHS England having beforehand mentioned that individuals on this age group may get a vaccine if GPs had provides.

Earlier, International Secretary Dominic Raab rejected calls from MPs in his celebration to place a date on when England’s lockdown measures will probably be eased, saying the federal government will probably be “cautious”.

On Saturday, the prime minister mentioned he was “optimistic” he’ll have the ability to set out plans later this month for a “cautious” easing of England’s lockdown, citing “large progress” made with the vaccine rollout.

The UK is at the moment administering doses of two vaccines authorised by the medication regulator – the Pfizer-BioNTech jab and the one developed by Oxford College and AstraZeneca.

A 3rd vaccine, made by US firm Moderna, has been authorised however provides will not be anticipated to be out there till spring.

The UK can be lined as much as obtain not less than three different vaccines if they’re authorised to be used.

Its vaccination price is the third highest on this planet, behind solely Israel and the UAE.