BORIS Johnson’s target of offering all adults in the UK a Covid-19 vaccine has been met – ahead of his July 19 deadline.
The PM has now vowed to “finish the job” by getting all over 18s to book their jabs as the country approaches Freedom Day tomorrow.
The successful roll-out ensured his other target of two thirds of adults having both doses was also met.
Official figures show 81,959,398 jabs have been administered with 46,277,101 people having a first vaccine and 35,732,297 having a second.
Mr Johnson said: “Barely 8 months since the first vaccine was given, reaching these targets is another extraordinary achievement.
“Thank you again to everyone coming forward, and to those helping others to get jabbed.
“You are the reason we are able to cautiously ease restrictions next week, and return closer towards normal life.
“Now let’s finish the job. If you’re over 18, book both your jabs today.”
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It means every adult have the opportunity to have both doses by mid-September some eight weeks after the first dose.
Analysis from Public Health England shows Pfizer is 96 per cent effective against the Delta strain and AstraZeneca stands at 92 per cent after two doses.
Studies from Cambridge University show that the vaccines have likely saved 37,000 lives and stopped 11.8 million infections.
Double vaccinated people will no longer have to quarantine if they are identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, from August 16.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid, who is now self-isolating after a positive test, said: “Please come forward for your vaccines if you haven’t already – it’s the best way to protect you, your family and your community from COVID-19 and to help us all return closer towards normal life.”
