UK's COVID-19 vaccine rollout expands to over-56 age groups
March 07, 2021 17:35
The UK entered the next phase of its vaccination drive against COVID-19 on Sunday as the eligible cohorts for jabs were expanded from over-60s to all those aged 56 and over.
Letters from the National Health Service to around 850,000 people in that age group were issued this weekend with a further 850,000 due to arrive by Monday. The expansion comes as NHS staff said more than one-third of the adult population have now received a life-saving jab.
"The NHS vaccination programme is in full swing and more than 21 million of the most at-risk people have already received their first dose," said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
"This includes more than 90 per cent of those aged 65 and over and almost 9 in 10 people who are clinically extremely vulnerable. It's an extraordinary feat and we remain on track to offer a first vaccine to all adults by July 31," he said.
People receiving the letters are invited to go online to the national booking service to arrange a jab at a time and location that is convenient for them.
"The NHS vaccine programme is committed to protecting the country against coronavirus and it is testament to our incredible staff that we can now move on to the next age group," said Dr Nikki Kanani, a general practitioner and NHS national medical director for primary care.
-- PTI
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