The coronavirus vaccination programme is underway in the UK with more than 3.2 million people in Britain having received the first dose as of January 14. The Government has promised to undertake two million vaccinations each week by the end of January and to give the first dose to all top four priority groups by February 15. But can you drive after having the Covid vaccine?
More than three million coronavirus vaccines have been administered across England in five weeks.
In total, 3,234,946 people have received the first dose of the vaccine.
A further 443,234 people have now been given a second dose of the vaccine.
The figures come as the Government prepares to rapidly increase the mass vaccination programme across the country, with vows to administer as many as half a million jabs from next week.
Ministers are confident that the UK will have enough doses to hit Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s target of inoculating the 15 million most vulnerable Britons by February 15.
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Data released this week confirmed each region of England has undertaken the following number of vaccinations (in order of most to least doses):
- Midlands: 387,647 (first dose), 59,682 (second dose) – 447,329 (total)
- North East and Yorkshire: 370,694 (first dose), 62,351 (2nd dose) – 433,045 (total)
- South East: 348,863 (first dose), 62,394 (second dose) – 411,257 (total)
- North West: 266,585 (first dose), 51,860 (second dose) – 318,445 (total)
- South West: 235,108 (first dose), 50,224 (second dose) – 285,332 (total)
- London: 199,986 (first dose), 37,538 (second dose) – 237,524 (total)
- East of England: 186,291 (first dose), 49,732 (second dose) – 236,023 (total)
- Other: 2,130 (first dose), 322 (second dose) – 2,452 (total).
The Prime Minister’s spokesman defended the operation.
He told reporters: “We’ve rolled out the vaccination programme across the country and we’ve ensured that every area receives a fair share of the vaccinations and we will continue to do that.
“You will continue to see the vaccination programme accelerate through this month and throughout February and the PM’s been clear that we will ensure there is a vaccine centre close to everybody by the end of the month.”
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Some people may experience side effects after the vaccine, and these can vary from person to person.
If you do experience side effects, most will likely be mild, short-lived and do not necessarily impact everyone.
However, if your arm is particularly sore, you may have trouble lifting heavy objects.
In addition, if you feel unwell or very tired you should make sure to rest.
For those experiencing these symptoms, it is also advised they avoid operating machinery or driving.
Even if you do experience symptoms after your first dose, you will still be required to undertake the second dose for the vaccine to be effective.
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The common side effects include:
- A painful, heavy feeling and tenderness if your arm
- Tiredness
- Headache
- General aches or mild flu-like symptoms.
Feeling feverish is not uncommon for two to three days, but a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have Covid-19 or another infection.
Some people also experience swelling of the glands.
These symptoms usually last less than a week, but if they worsen or continue you should seek medical advice by calling NHS 111.
