The country will launch the next phase of its COVID-19 vaccination programme on Monday when it will start offering doses to people aged 70 and above and those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable to the coronavirus.
Today is a significant milestone in our vaccination programme as we open it up to millions more people who are most at risk from COVID-19,” Boris Johnson said yesterday
“We have a long way to go and there will doubtless be challenges ahead – but by working together we are making huge progress in our fight against this virus.”
Health minister Matt Hancock said more than half of all over-80s had now had a vaccination.
Meanwhile the second wave of Covid-19 has left the NHS in the most precarious position in its 72-year history, chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has warned. “The facts are very clear and I’m not going to sugar coat them,” he said yesterday. “Hospitals are under extreme pressure and staff are under extreme pressure.”