More than 10 million people in the UK have received their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, the government announced on Monday (April 19).
Health services across the UK have now administered a total of 43,084,487 million vaccines between December 8 and April 18, including 32,932,448 million people with their first dose and 10,152,039 million with their second.
The milestone means over 19 per cent of all UK adults have received both vaccines.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Vaccines offer us the best possible protection from the virus, so it is fantastic that 10 million people have now received their second dose.
“This is another remarkable milestone in our vaccination programme, which has already saved thousands of lives.
“I want to thank the brilliant staff and volunteers involved in the rollout, and urge all those who are called to keep coming forward.”
Rolling reviews are underway by the MHRA to assess the Janssen and Novavax vaccines. The speed and breadth of the UK vaccination programme means even more people will soon develop strong protection from serious illness from Covid-19 infection, saving countless lives and significantly reducing pressure on the NHS, the DH said.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This is another terrific milestone, meaning over 10 million people who are the most vulnerable to Covid in the UK now have double protection from this awful virus.
“Second doses are crucial to maximising the strength and duration of your protection from Covid-19 and I’m urging everybody eligible to get their jab as soon as possible.
“This milestone is thanks to the dedication and tireless efforts of our NHS workers, volunteers, civil servants and everybody working on the frontline to save lives and stop this virus in its tracks.”
The government has already hit its target of offering everybody in cohorts one to two- those aged 50 and over, the clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers-a first dose of the vaccine by April 15 and remains on track to offer a jab to all adults by the end of July.
Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “Vaccines have already saved more than 10,000 lives and they are the best way to protect you and your loved ones from this dreadful disease.
“We want to send this virus into retreat. No matter who you are, where you live, your race or your religion, I encourage everyone to get both doses when offered and help this country return life to normal.”
Data from Public Health England’s (PHE) real-world study shows the vaccines are already having a significant impact in the UK, reducing hospitalisations and deaths, saving more than 10,000 lives between December and March.
