Around 132 million COVID-19 vaccinations were administered across all 4 nations of the UK in 2021, as part of the largest vaccination programme in British history.
Almost 34 million people now have protection from the Omicron variant at the start of the new year. Around 50 million received a first dose this year and over 47 million received a second of a COVID-19 vaccine. Over 90% of those aged 12 and over have now had their first dose, and 82.4% have had their second.
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‘The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges our health service has ever faced and our historic vaccination programme has been vital in helping us step up to meet this challenge,’ said Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid.
‘132 million vaccinations in a single year is astounding and a true reflection of the fantastic work of our NHS and its volunteers – I want to thank each and every one of them. But we need to make sure people continue to come forward for their life-saving jab. As we go into the new year, make sure you Get Boosted Now to kick off 2022 with the best possible protection from Omicron.’
The government confirmed it had met its target to offer all eligible adults in England the chance to get a COVID-19 booster jab by the end of December – with the latest data showing 28.4 million adults in England have received a top-up dose. Three in 4 eligible adults in England have now received a booster.
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‘The NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme has delivered more than 111 million life-saving doses across England, with 3 in 4 eligible adults having received their vital booster jab thanks to the rapid expansion of the booster programme over the last few weeks,’ said Head of the NHS Vaccination Programme Dr Emily Lawson.
‘While more than 28 million people have already taken up the offer of a top-up dose, many people may not have yet been able to, for example because they have had COVID-19, and