Second dose milestone as 2.5 million get follow up jab

The NHS in England has vaccinated more than 25 million people against coronavirus with the number of people receiving their second dose reaching a new weekly high.

NHS England reports that more than 2.5 million people have now received their second jab, with more than one in three of those taking place just in the last week, when more than 900,000 returned to get their next dose, around twice as many as did so the week before.

Focus is now on making sure that absolutely everyone in the most at-risk cohorts has had the chance to be vaccinated, ahead of the target of offering all priority groups their first vaccine by 15 April and when there is tighter supply of available doses next month.

Whilst three in four 50-54 year olds have now already been jabbed, up from half in the last week, NHS England has stressed the importance of people not forgeting about having their second dose of the vaccine too, so they can receive as much protection as possible.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care, said: “The NHS in England has now vaccinated 25 million people which is an unbelievable achievement by NHS staff across the country, who have continued to work at speed.

“At the same time as increasing second doses week on week, the NHS is reaching out to those 50-69 year-olds who haven’t yet taken up the offer to be vaccinated. If you are one of those people yet to book a first dose, please come forward and get your life-saving Covid-19 vaccine which will not only protect you but those around you.”