Just the jab! Record 660,000 in one day... and Boris gets his too
BORIS Johnson received his Covid jab yesterday as Britain broke its record for the most doses given out in a single day.
The Prime Minister was given the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where he had intensive care treatment for coronavirus last year.
It was earlier revealed that a record 660,276 doses were administered nationwide on Thursday.
The PM’s vaccine was given to him by “wonderful nurse” and clinical pod lead Lily Harrington.
Mr Johnson said: “She said you’ll feel a sharp prick. I literally did not feel a thing. It was very good, very quick.
“I cannot recommend it too highly. Everybody, when you get your notification to go for a jab, please go and get it. It’s the best thing for you, best thing for your family and for everybody else.
“Don’t just listen to me. Listen to all the scientists, listen to what the European Medicines Agency had to say yesterday, what the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency have said.
“The risk is Covid. This is a great thing to do.”
His visit to the vaccination centre at the hospital followed data showing that 28,274,802 jabs had been given in the UK by Thursday. Out of that total, 26,263,732 were first doses – a rise of 528,260 on the previous day. The total of 660,276 vaccines given out on Thursday was higher than the previous record set on January 30, which was 609,010.
More than half of all adults in England have now had the jab. Mr Johnson received the dose shortly after 6.30pm yesterday. With his left sleeve still rolled up, he gave a double thumbs-up to mark the occasion. EU nations including France, Germany and Spain saw AstraZeneca jabs start again yesterday following a brief suspension after reports of blood clots.
The resumption followed a declaration by the European Medicines Agency that the vaccine developed at Oxford University is safe.
Talks
Downing Street officials said the Government is in “constant contact” with vaccine suppliers following a delay of a shipment from India.
Reports have suggested that ministers are in secret talks with India in a bid to release the doses to avoid a supply drop next month.
A spokesman for the PM said:
“We are in constant contact with all manufacturers to understand and address potential variations in supply.
“I would reiterate the point from the Prime Minister where he was very clear that the Indian government hasn’t stopped any export of the vaccine and any delay is very frequent in vaccine rollout programmes.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said that India was not “withholding vaccines” from the UK following issues with supply.
Asked if India’s government was withholding vaccine exports, he said: “No, India is not withholding vaccines and I pay tribute to the work of the Serum Institute.
“They have had some supply issues with five million doses, as the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary outlined yesterday.
“But we always knew that there would be ups and downs and that is part of our planning assumptions.
“That’s why we have been relatively cautious, for example with the roadmap for getting out of lockdown.”
A further 74 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, the NHS said yesterday.
The virus reproduction number, or R rate, across the UK is now between 0.6 and 0.9, according to the latest Government figures.
The R represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect.
Meanwhile, ministers yesterday announced new measures to help hospitality and tourism recover from the lockdown.
Pubs are to be allowed to keep marquees erected in their gardens throughout the summer, without having to apply for planning permission, to allow customers to drink outside without having to worry about the rain.
Boost
A £56million Welcome Back Fund to help councils boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups was also announced.
Part of the funding will be earmarked for coastal towns to help seaside resorts welcome back visitors safely. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “As we move to the next stage on the roadmap out of lockdown we are all looking forward to being reunited with friends and family outdoors and making a safe and happy return to our favourite shops and restaurants.
“Our Welcome Back Fund gives every city, town and high street support to prepare for a great summer. This funding will help councils and businesses to welcome shoppers, diners and tourists back safely.
“As soon as the roadmap allows, we need to get behind our local businesses and enjoy all that this country has to offer and that we’ve been missing so much.
“I’m allowing every pub in the country to erect a marquee in their garden for the whole summer as a one-off to support our locals.”