More than half (50.2%) of the UK’s adult population have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, with three-quarters (75.5%) receiving at least one jab, the latest data shows.
Figures published today (3 June) show that between 8 December and 2 June, 66,180,731 vaccine doses have been administered in total, including 26,422,303 people with both doses, and 39,758,428 people with first doses.
Meanwhile, 53% of people aged 30-39 have received at least one dose, after the NHS opened bookings to adults in England aged 30 and 31 last week (26 May).
Last month, NHS England told GP-led vaccination sites to bring forward second-dose appointments from 12 to eight weeks for all risk group patients who have yet to be fully vaccinated, in a bid to tackle rising cases of the Indian variant in parts of the country.
A recent Public Health England (PHE) study showed that both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are ‘highly effective’ against the Covid-19 variant first identified in India (B.1.617.2).
Health secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘We know how important the second dose is to give protection, particularly against the Delta variant. That’s why we’ve brought forward appointments from 12 to eight weeks for the most vulnerable people.’
Nadhim Zahawi, Vaccines Minister, said: ‘We have come an incredibly long way in just under six months with our vaccination programme. But our work is not done yet. If you’ve had one dose, please come back for your second jab when you get the offer.’
Last week (28 May), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that Janssen’s single dose vaccine was authorised for use in the UK, after it was shown to be 67% effective overall in preventing Covid-19.
This follows the launch of a UK clinical trial to test seven different vaccines for a third ‘booster’ Covid shot, which the Government said will inform any potential booster jab campaign later this year.
