JABS FOR ALL OVER-18S BY END OF WEEK

EVERY adult aged 18 and over in England should be able to book their first Covid jab by the end of the week.

The NHS is preparing to wrap up the vaccine programme over the next four weeks during the lockdown extension announced by PM Boris Johnson on Monday.

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “It is now very important that we use the next four weeks to finish the job to the greatest extent possible.

“By July 19 we aim to have offered perhaps two-thirds of adults across the country double jabs. And we’re making great strides in extending the offer to all adults.

“I expect that by the end of this week, we’ll be able to open up the National Booking Service to all adults aged 18 and above.”

Flipped

He said the average age of people in hospital has “flipped” due to the vaccination programme with more younger people now seeking care.

Sir Simon added: “The age distribution has really flipped as a result of vaccination.

“Back in January, it was 60/40 – 60% of beds occupied by people over 65, 40% (occupied by people) under 65.

“Now it’s flipped to 30/70, so it’s about 30% occupied by people aged 65 and over 70% by younger people whose prospects are much greater.”

Sir Simon also revealed new Covid-19 treatments will be used to “prevent severe illness and death” within the next few months.

These will be administered through regional networks “typically within a three-day window from the date of infection”.