The government is on target to offer the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine to 15 million vulnerable people, the top four priority groups, by 15th February, confirmed the Health Secretary.
In today’s Downing Street press conference Matt Hancock confirmed that ‘two fifths (40%) of all over 80’s in England have received at least one dose of the vaccine.’
“We are on track to meet that target – it’s not going to be easy, but we are going to get there,” he said.
It was also confirmed that 2.3 million adults in the UK had now received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine with a further 300,000 having had both doses giving a total figure of 2.6 million, up from the earlier reports of 2.4 million.
The four priority groups, who account for 88% of COVID deaths, are:
- care home residents and staff;
- all those aged 80 and over and frontline health and social care workers;
- people aged 75 and over;
- everyone aged 70 and over and individuals classed as extremely vulnerable.
The health secretary said the new coronavirus variant was putting the NHS under very significant pressure and asked for members of the public to act as if they have the virus and stay at home.
“Stay at home, and please reduce all social contact that is not absolutely strictly necessary. That’s what is needed: act like you have the virus,” he said.
