BRITAIN has smashed its 60 million jabs milestone, as Health Secretary Matt Hancock hails a “huge day” for Covid vaccinations.
There were 762,361 first and second doses of the vaccine given out across the UK yesterday, the most since the rollout began.
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The total number of people having their first dose of the Covid vaccine is now 37,943,681 after 205,410 got their initial jabs yesterday.
Meanwhile 556,951 got their second shots on Saturday, meaning 22,643,417 Brits are now fully vaccinated.
Mr Hancock described yesterday as a “huge day” for the vaccine effort as the total number of jabs given out hit 60,587,098.
He tweeted: “This is a fantastic milestone in our fight against this virus.
“Thank you to everyone involved in our national effort. When you get the call, get the jab.”
He also said in a statement: “Our trailblazing vaccination programme – the biggest and most successful in NHS history – is another great British success story and a testament to what can be achieved when all four corners of country comes together to defeat this virus.
“Our country has one of the highest uptake rates in the world and I’m delighted that so many have answered our call to arms. If you have not yet come forward, and you are eligible, I urge you to take up the offer – it could save your life and protect your loved ones.”
Nadhim Zahawi, Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment, tweeted: “The five dozen done!
“Over 60,000,000 doses administered in the United Kingdom! Together we will defeat this virus.”
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The figures mean that one in three adults in England are now fully vaccinated against Covid.
The success of the vaccine rollout and tests proving the jab does work against the Indian variant means the June 21 lockdown lift is “back on”.
After weeks of worry, “Freedom Day” is set to go ahead as findings showed Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines both give a high level of protection after two doses.
Pfizer was 88 per cent effective after two jabs while AstraZeneca proved 60 per cent effective.
Both vaccines were 33 per cent effective against symptomatic disease from the Indian variant three weeks after the first dose, compared with about 50 per cent against the Kent strain.
Professor Susan Hopkins, PHE’s Covid-19 strategic response director, said the data trend was “quite clear” and heading in the “right direction”.
This morning Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, confirmed it’s “looking good” for the final stage of the roadmap.
And Harries was backed by Home Secretary Priti Patel who said: “The data is positive in terms of where we are – look at the vaccine information that has been published today about the level of protection against specific variants.”
It brings fresh hope for the full unlocking next month, after the variant’s emergence cast doubt on the roadmap.
But now we know, while it’s still possible to catch the virus even if vaccinated, the jabs will be effective in stopping hospitalisations and deaths.
This is a positive sign for the UK – with hopes we are on track for the day of freedom on June 21 when all restrictions are expected to be dropped.
Some 2,235 people have tested positive for the bug in the past 24 hours, with five deaths recorded over the same timeframe.
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