Covid Update

More than 32 million people have been given a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Jabs have been offered to everyone aged 50 and over, health and care workers and clinically vulnerable.

Phase 2 of the vaccination programme begins this week, with people aged 45 to 49 invited to book their appointments.

The UK is moving into the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme as the government hits its target to offer everybody in phase 1 of the vaccination programme a jab.

Everybody in cohorts 1 to 9 – those aged 50 and over, the clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers – has been offered a vaccine, meeting the government’s 15 April target ahead of time.

This group accounts for 99% of all COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic, so by offering them the vaccine, we are helping ensure the most vulnerable are protected from the virus.

The significant milestone marks the beginning of phase 2 of the vaccination programme and people aged 45 to 49 in England can now book appointments through the NHS booking service.