More than third of UK adults fully vaccinated against Covid
More than 17 million people in the country have had two doses.
More than a third of UK adults have now had two coronavirus vaccine jabs, it has been confirmed.
Some 17,669,379 people have been given a second dose, NHS figures showed on Sunday.
The achievement was branded ‘another incredible milestone’, as the country’s inoculation roll out continues at pace, with a further 607,864 jabs recorded in the latest 24 hour period.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: ‘One third of adults in the UK have now had their second dose of the Covid vaccine, a testament to the extraordinary efforts of NHS staff and volunteers.
‘Thank you to everyone who has made this happen.’
The milestone has also been reached in England.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and medical director for primary care at NHS England, added: ‘Yet another incredible NHS milestone has been reached as one in three adults in England have now had both doses of the Covid vaccine – meaning that they have maximum protection from the virus.
‘Reaching this milestone is no accident – it is down to months of hard work and everyone in the NHS who has played a role in this is helping to protect millions of people from serious illness and saving lives.’
There is expected to be a campaign of boosters jabs later in the year, while some children could also be offered vaccines.
But there is pressure on the UK to help countries who are yet to vaccinate vulnerable people before offering third jabs here.
The UK is currently offering jabs to those aged 40 and over.
Across the UK as a whole, more than 53 million jabs had been administered – with just over two thirds being first doses – according to figures published on Sunday.
35,371,669 people have been given a first dose.
Meanwhile, ahead of another easing of lockdown restrictions on May 17, one prominent scientist has suggested that the UK could be ‘free of Covid’ in August.
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