As of Thursday, 3,189,673 vaccines have been administered across England. With 45 percent of over-80s and around 40 percent of care home residents receiving the jabs, the Government is getting ready to invite over-70s for Covid vaccines.
Letters inviting those in the age group to book a vaccination are expected to be delivered early next week, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Appointments for over-70s could start as early as next weekend, with Government sources believing bookings can start within the “coming days”.
A senior Government source told the newspaper: “Some GPs have already done most of the over-80s and we can’t afford to wait around.
“It’s taking some time to reach all of the people in the first category so it makes sense to move to the next joint committee on vaccination and immunisation cohorts. And we have the supplies to make it work.”
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The offer would make more than 5.5 million people eligible for jabs.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a press briefing yesterday: “I pay particular tribute to the vaccination efforts going on in Cockermouth, in Cumbria, Yateley and Cheltenham, where they have vaccinated around 90 per cent of their over-80s in their communities.”
It also follows Pfizer’s Belgium factory undergoing upgrades, creating a short term delay in the delivery of jabs to the UK.
A Pfizer spokeswoman said: “We understand a change to deliveries has the potential to create uncertainty.
“However, we can confirm the overall projected volumes of delivery to the UK remain the same for quarter one.”
Yesterday, the UK recorded a further 55,761 cases and 1,280 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus.
In total, the UK has seen 3,316,019 cases and 87,295 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
Mr Johnson stated yesterday despite positive progress in the vaccine roll out Brits should stay vigilant.
He added: “This is not the time for the slightest relaxation of our national resolve and our individual efforts. So please stay at home, please protect the NHS and save lives.”
