Britain has now vaccinated almost 14 million people, including more than 205,000 people across Surrey Heartlands. We are now averaging 2.5 million doses a week and have reached 9 in 10 of those aged 75 and over. Only two countries, the United States and China, have vaccinated more people than Britain – a testament to everyone involved.
All those over 70 who haven’t yet received their first dose can now book an appointment online by clicking here, or by calling 119 free of charge between 7am and 11pm. Alternatively, they can contact their GP practice. Healthcare teams have also been contacting people in the top four priority groups, including the clinically extremely vulnerable, to ensure they have been offered the vaccine. The next priority group to be contacted about their vaccinations will be those aged 65 and over.
The World Health Organisation has followed Britain’s approach of recommending longer intervals between the first and second doses of the vaccine. A recent study by Oxford University showed vaccine efficacy rising from 54.9% with an interval of less than six weeks to 82.4% when spaced 12 or more weeks apart.
The Government has secured early access to over 407 million total doses of vaccines for 2021 and 2022 – more than enough to offer all over-18s the first dose by September. Last week, we also announced a new partnership with vaccine manufacturer CureVac to rapidly develop new vaccines in response to new Covid-19 variants if needed. Indeed, AstraZeneca has today confirmed that clinical trials for the next generation of their vaccine will commence in the spring, with mass production beginning in six to nine months.
Throughout the pandemic, Britain has been a long-standing champion of ensuring access to vaccines around the globe. We are the biggest donor of CoVax, the global vaccine alliance, committing £548 million in British aid to help distribute 1.3 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines to 92 developing countries this year. First deliveries are expected later this month.
If you have any questions or concerns about the roll-out, there is a dedicated vaccination email and phone service you can contact: [email protected] / 0300 561 2500 – lines are open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday only. As ever, if you need my assistance, please contact me at [email protected]
