Eight jabs a second booked by young in vaccination push

EIGHT Covid jabs a second were booked by 18-to-20-year-olds in the final push to get every adult vaccinated.

A total of 721,469 appointments were booked on Friday as the NHS bookings system opened up to everyone over 18.

Even more vaccinations were arranged in practice, as that figure does not include appointments made at GP surgeries or walk-in centres.

It comes after 692,299 appointments were made on Tuesday, when 23 and 24-year-olds became eligible.

Confirming a four-week delay to the lifting of the final coronavirus restrictions, Boris Johnson spoke of “a few more crucial weeks to get those few remaining jabs into the arms of those who need them”.

Five million appointments have been booked since June 8, when the under 30s became eligible.

“It’s incredible to see the enthusiasm young people are showing,” said Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary. “It is a testament to the fantastic work of the team in keeping as many people safe from Covid-19 possible.”

According to the latest data, more than four in five adults (80.6 per cent) have now had their first dose of a vaccine, while 58.7 per cent of people in the UK have had both doses.