By Caribbean News Global 
LONDON, England – Half of all adults in the UK have received their first dose of the (coronavirus) COVID-19 vaccine, the latest figures show. Or if you prefer, “almost 95 percent of people aged 60 and over have been vaccinated,” Department of Health and Social Care, said in a press release Saturday.
“The UK health services vaccinated a total of 26.8 million people between December 8 and March 19 with first doses, while 2.1 million people have had their second dose so far. The rollout is continuing at pace and the UK is on track to achieve the prime minister’s target of offering the vaccine to all over-50s by April 15, as well as all adults by the end of July.”
Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “Vaccinating over half of all adults is a phenomenal achievement and is testament to the mammoth efforts of the NHS, GPs, volunteers, local authorities and civil servants in every corner of the UK. It shows the strength of the Union and what can be achieved when we work together as one United Kingdom to protect those most at risk. But the job is not done yet.
“During April, we will continue to vaccinate those most at risk and around 12 million people will receive their second doses as well. It is absolutely crucial people come forward as soon as they are eligible. When you get the call, get the jab, because the more people who are vaccinated the safer we will all be.”
According to Department of Health and Social Care, the pace of the rollout means even more people will soon develop strong protection from serious illness from COVID-19 infection, saving lives and significantly reducing pressure on the NHS, which supports the prime minister’s roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions. Around 4 percent of the adult population have had their second doses so far and there will be a strong drive over the coming weeks to vaccinate people with the second jabs within 12 weeks, as well as continuing to vaccinate those in the priority groups with first doses.
The UK government’s Vaccine Taskforce secured early access to 457 million doses of the most promising vaccines on behalf of the whole of the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories. This allowed a coordinated and rapid deployment of vaccines to those most at risk.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “I would like to thank everybody involved in this incredible vaccination programme across the whole of the UK for their tireless dedication to protecting the most vulnerable and saving lives. This is a momentous occasion and while the vaccines are the best way out of this terrible pandemic, the battle is not yet over. We continue to do everything we can to expand the vaccination programme even further and encourage people of all backgrounds and religions to get their jabs when eligible.”
The UK government affirmed that “all vaccines being used in the UK have undergone robust clinical trials and have met the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) strict standards of safety, effectiveness and quality.
“The Moderna vaccine has also been approved by the MHRA and will be deployed from the spring. Rolling reviews are also underway by the MHRA to assess the Janssen and Novavax vaccines.”
Data from Public Health England’s real-world study shows that both the Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines are highly effective in reducing COVID-19 among older people aged 70 years and over. We are already seeing a significant impact of the vaccination programme on reducing hospitalisations and deaths, and it is vital people come forward for their vaccine when invited.
The vaccines are available for free from thousands of vaccine centres, GP practices and pharmacies. Around 98 percent of people live within ten miles of a vaccination centre in England, which includes mosques, Westminster Abbey and football stadiums.
Dr Nikki Kanani, NHS England’s primary care director and a GP, said: “Thanks to careful planning and the huge efforts of NHS vaccinators, volunteers and everyone working behind the scenes, the roll-out of the NHS vaccination programme – the biggest in health service history – continues to be a huge success. Their efforts meant the NHS had vaccinated half of all adults in England by Thursday, and as a GP and a vaccinator, it is source of great pride that we have now reached that major milestone across the whole of the UK.
“I would encourage anyone who is invited to come forward and book their vaccine. It is safe, quick and effective, and by having your vaccine you will join nearly 23 million people across England who’ve now been protected.”
