FIRST STEPS ON ROAD TO LOCKDOWN FREEDOM
● Infection rate falls below crucial level ● On track to hit target as 14m have Covid jab ● PM to reveal easing of rules on Feb 22
HOPES of finally easing the lockdown misery leapt yesterday as the nation roared ahead to smash its 15 million jabs target.
As Boris Johnson prepared to reveal his road map to normality next week, experts predicted groups of up to six could again meet outside by May.
More than 14 million have now received a first jab, putting the Government on track to meet its target of offering the vaccine to 15 million of the most vulnerable people by Monday.
The vaccine drive follows a series of major developments in the fight to tame the pandemic. The R reproduction virus
I AM confident we will hit our target of offering a first dose of the vaccine to everybody in priority groups 1 to 4 by Monday.
Vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel. The astounding speed of the rollout is testament to the nation’s determination and resolve to pull together to beat this virus.
This is the UK’s largest ever vaccination programme and I want to sincerely thank everyone’s Herculean efforts – from NHS workers and volunteers to local partners, Armed Forces and faith leaders in all parts of the United Kingdom. Vaccinations have been taking place at thousands of sites right across the UK and the progress we’re making is truly astonishing.
It’s absolutely vital we keep up this momentum and continue to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities from this virus. I urge anyone in the top four priority groups who has not yet had their jab to urgently come forward and book their appointment – this vaccine could save your life.
Protection
Anyone over 70 should contact the NHS to arrange their jab. They can do this through the online national booking service or, if they can’t get online, by dialling 119 or contacting their local GP practice. Health and social care workers should speak to their employer if they haven’t had their vaccine yet and GP teams are contacting their clinically extremely vulnerable patients to make sure they have been offered a jab.
We are working with communities across the country to make sure everyone can get the protection they need, regardless of their background, ethnicity or religious beliefs. It’s essential that we work together to fight this disease.
Getting the vaccine is quick, easy and most importantly it’s safe. Everyone deserves the protection they need from this virus. We will continue to contact people as we move through the cohorts and will offer the vaccine to everyone over 50 by the end of April, and all adults by September.
Every day we are closer to beating this virus, but right now we can’t let our efforts slip. We must ensure the most vulnerable are protected and it remains incredibly important that we all continue to stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS. value has fallen below 1 for the first time since July and is now estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9.
A further 15,144 coronavirus cases and 758 deaths were confirmed across the UK yesterday, but the latest figures also showed a significant drop in infections.
Key Government adviser Professor Neil Ferguson said “best estimates” suggest Tier 2-like rules, allowing the “rule of six” meetings and the opening of schools and shops, could be in place by May.
Meanwhile, the number of Covid patients in hospital in England was 19,009 yesterday – the lowest number since Boxing Day and down 45 per cent from a January 18 peak of 34,336.
Nearly 30 Government ministers will take part in a drive to boost the jab uptake this weekend.
Invitations will start going out to over-65s from Monday and the Government has pledged to offer all over 50s the vaccine by May and all adults by September. The Prime Minister said last night: “It looks like we are on target. We very much hope to reach the most vulnerable groups, one to four, by the 15th.
“There’s obviously a lot of work going on to make sure we do that and I want to thank, again, everyone involved who’s helping.”
NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Thanks to the tireless efforts of staff, the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest and fastest in health service history, is off to a strong start.
“Over 12 million people in England already taking up the offer of a vaccine.
“If you are aged 70 and over and haven’t yet taken up the offer, please do come forward and make an appointment.
“The vaccine is safe, simple, and will offer you and those around you crucial protection against this virus.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who visited a vaccination centre at the Stoke Mandeville stadium in Bucks yesterday, urged remaining over-70s and others to book their jab.
He said: “Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic and it is testament to the strength of our Union and the combined power of our United Kingdom that we’ve seen such incredible progress in the rollout.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will speak to staff at Elland Road Vaccination Centre, home of Leeds United, and Home Secretary Priti Patel is volunteering at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Temple in Bedford. Environment Secretary George Eustice will take a virtual tour of Stithians’ showground in Truro to thank local NHS workers, and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will hear from military staff helping at the Whitemoor Lakes site in Staffordshire. Vaccinations are now being delivered at more than 1,500 locations in England, including more than 250 hospitals and 1,000 GP-led sites. Museums, mosques, cinemas and supermarkets have been transformed into large centres and nearly 200 high street pharmacies have joined the national effort.
NHS England said 97 per cent of the population now lives within 10 miles of a centre and around 30,000 NHS staff are delivering jabs every day, alongside hundreds of volunteers.
The top four groups most at risk from the virus are people aged 70 and over, care home residents and staff, health and care workers and clinically extremely vulnerable patients.
NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “After a year of huge pandemic pressure, it has been a huge and unique team effort that gives us real hope for the future.”
Around 21 vaccine doses have been administered for every 100 people in the UK, according to the Oxford University-based research platform Our World in Data.
This compares with just five doses per 100 people in Spain, and around four in Germany and
France. The figures may not equal the number of people vaccinated as some have received more than one dose.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “We still have lots of work to do to defeat this virus, but we’re making great progress. We will get through this, together.”
The ONS estimates 695,000 people in the community in England had the virus during the week to February 6, down from 847,000 the previous week.
Around one in 80 people tested was infected, down from one in 65. Meanwhile the Government will publish a plan today to boost vaccine uptake and engage with communities where people are more hesitant.
It sets out how ministers and NHS leaders will work with directors of public health, charities and the faith sector to ensure equal access.
The plan also offers examples of successful measures, such as a mobile vaccination service which was launched in Crawley, West
Sussex, to reach those who are housebound.
A care worker also shared a video of herself being jabbed to encourage staff.
The uptake among the over 75s has so far reached 93 per cent, higher than the expected rate of 75 per cent.
Writing in this newspaper today, Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi says: “We have seen an incredible response so far from the public to the vaccination programme and are on track to offer everyone in the top priority groups a jab by 15 February.
“We recognise some groups feel more hesitant about getting a jab, or have more barriers, both physical and mental, preventing them from accessing one when offered.
“Each shot in the arm brings us closer to beating this terrible virus.
“That’s why we are setting out our plan to make sure everyone is protected equally, by working hand in hand with those who know their communities best to make sure as many people as possible take up the offer of a life-saving vaccination.”