A total of 47,091,889 people have received first dose (89%) and 39,688,566 people have received both doses (75%), according to the latest government data, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Three quarters of adults in the UK have now received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, the government has announced.
A total of 86,780,455 doses have been administered in the UK, with 47,091,889 people receiving a first dose (89%) and 39,688,566 people receiving both doses (75%), according to the latest government data.
Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. The analysis shows the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 96% effective and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is 92% effective against hospitalisation after 2 doses.
The latest data from PHE and Cambridge University shows that around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 66,900 hospitalisations have been prevented by the vaccines.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said vaccinating more than 75% of UK adults is a “huge national achievement.”
“It’s so important that those who haven’t been vaccinated come forward as soon as possible to book their jab – to protect themselves, protect their loved ones and allow us all to enjoy our freedoms safely,” Johnson said.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said the achievement is “incredible and a testament to the fantastic work of the NHS, volunteers and everyone involved in the roll-out.”
“Getting 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine is the key to enjoying a host of new freedoms safely – whether that be to enjoy a trip abroad with family or a night out with friends – as we continue to build our wall of protection,” Javid said.
“The vaccines are allowing us to reconnect with the things we love, but more than that, they’re protecting the people we love too,” he added.
In order to boost vaccination and vaccine availability, the government along with NHS had introduced several key steps, including through ‘grab a jab’ pop-up vaccine sites across the country. For example, at London-based club Heaven last weekend as well as football stadiums and festivals up and down the country.
People can make an appointment through the national booking system either online or by calling 119, and can use a vaccination centre, walk-in centre, or one of the pop-up vaccinations centres that are now in shopping centres, workplaces and high streets.
The people will be required to prove they’ve had 2 jabs to enter nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather by the end of September.
From 16 August, double-vaccinated people will also no longer be required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. People will continue to be advised to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect the virus and variants of concern and anyone who tests positive will still be legally required to self-isolate, irrespective of their vaccination status.
The government announced that double-vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff in England who have been told to self-isolate will be permitted to attend work in exceptional circumstances and replaced by testing mitigations. A limited number of critical workers may also in exceptional circumstances be able to leave self-isolation to attend work if deemed a close contact and informed to do so by their employer.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said it’s been phenomenal to see first-hand the enthusiasm of the British public for the vaccines, which have now prevented over 66,900 hospitalisations and saved at least 60,000 lives.
“Getting the jab is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones – I urge everyone to get booked in and get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he said.
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