he administered more than 15 million vaccinations, official data revealed.
According to the latest government data up to and including 12 February, 15,091,696 vaccines against Covid-19 have so far been given in the UK.
Of the total of 15 million, 14,556,827 were first doses and about 534,869 second doses – an increase of 4,775 compared to the previous day.
This comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he hoped a combination of vaccines and new treatments would mean Covid-19 could be a “treatable disease” by the end of the year.
However, concerns have been expressed about the rate of vaccine uptake among some communities.
Mr. Hancock made a direct appeal to anyone over the age of 70 who had not yet had the chance to contact the NHS over the weekend to make an appointment.
“I am determined to protect as many of our country’s most vulnerable people as possible from this terrible disease as soon as possible,” he said. “Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic.”
The uptake of the vaccine was mostly high, and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) reports an admission rate of 93 per cent among those over 75 in England.
The DHSC is now seeking to work with community organizations and charities in England to address the concerns that some are reluctant to get the jab at, while seeking to dispel ‘myths’ spreading on social media.
Sir Simon Stevens, CEO of NHS England, praised staff for their efforts to reach millions of people with vaccinations.
On a visit to University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust with May Parsons, the nurse who brought the first vaccination in the world outside of a clinical study to Maggie Keenan in December, Sir Simon said: ‘This is due to fantastic staff like May that the NHS delivers Europe’s fastest and largest Covid vaccination program.
‘The whole NHS has mobilized to protect the vulnerable, supported by communities that come together with volunteers, local authorities, the military and local businesses.
“After a year of great pandemic pressure, it was a great and unique team effort that gives us real hope for the future.”
Additional reporting by PA Media.