A MASSIVE new drive to get people jabbed before Freedom Day is being launched today – as the number of people coming forward has plummeted to its lowest level.
Hundreds of thousands of texts will be sent encouraging people to get their vaccine before restrictions end on Monday.
Jabs are now available to everyone over 18, but just 42,000 first doses were given on Sunday – a dramatic reduction from the hundreds of thousands being administered every day earlier this year.
It comes as a study found vaccine hesitancy among young adults could prevent herd immunity being reached.
NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “We saw very strong uptake among people in their 20s when the offer was first made, but we need to continue and finish the job.
“I think it’s possible the changes that have been announced by the government regarding travel quarantine could be a further encouragement to people to come forward and be jabbed.
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“We’ve still got work to do. We’d love to see more coming forward and having it.
Half of 18- to 24-year-olds were vaccinated in just three weeks after jabs were opened to them last month, but in the last week the number has risen by just six per cent.
It means millions are yet to receive a vaccine, potentially scuppering the goal of reaching herd immunity – where at least 70 per cent of the population are completely protected.
The NHS will send out a flurry of text messages today as part of a concerted drive to maximise vaccinations.
It has already given almost 68 million jabs, protecting more than 38 million people, including more than 29 million who are fully vaccinated.
NHS vaccinations chief Sir Keith Willett said: “As we approach July 19, there has never been a more important time to get jabbed and it has never been easier – from pop-up sites in the community to walk-in centres, NHS staff are going to great lengths to ensure vaccines are as convenient as possible.
“I urge everyone to bring their second dose appointment forward to eight weeks as soon as they can.”
