A total of 25,273,226 people have had their first Pfizer or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, while 1,759,445 have had their second dose it has been confirmed this afternoon.
This huge achievement comes despite news that many European countries have temporarily suspended the rollout of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine due to concerns over potential blood clots. It must be stressed that these links are yet to be confirmed and all evidence points to the benefits of the vaccine outweighing any potential side affects.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“The latest milestone is an incredible achievement – representing 25 million reasons to be confident for the future as we cautiously reopen society.
“Thank you to the brilliant NHS, scientists, armed forces, volunteers and all those who’ve helped our rollout.
“Vaccines are safe and effective, and I urge everyone to keep coming forward when the NHS calls you.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This is an extraordinary feat, coming exactly 100 days after Margaret Keenan received the first authorised jab in the whole world.
“It has been a national mission, one of the one of the biggest logistical exercises since the war and I’d like to thank everyone who played their part.”
