MATT Hancock has confirmed that everyone aged 35 and over will be invited to get their vaccination in the coming days.
The Health Secretary confirmed this morning that jabs will become available to the latest age group – as the super-infectious Indian mutation takes hold in the UK.
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He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr surge vaccinations will open in Bolton, a hotspot for the new variant – before adding: “This coming week we will be opening up vaccinations to everyone 35 and over across the country.
“It isn’t just about accelerating the programme in Bolton.
“It’s about going as fast as we can nationwide.”
More than two-thirds of UK adults – 36 million people – have had a first dose of a Covid vaccine, while a third of adults are now fully vaccinated with two doses.
News that the jab will be offered to younger Brits comes just days after bookings opened for people aged 38 and 39 in England.
But the Government is aiming to push through the programme faster than ever – as the Indian mutation is up to 50 per cent more transmissible than the Kent variant.
In interviews this morning, Mr Hancock said no one who has received two jabs has yet died of the mutation.
“The main message for everyone is to get vaccinated – if you’re in an eligible group, come forward,” he said.
“In Bolton, we have seen number of people in hospital with the variant.
“The vast majority have been eligible for the jab but not taken it.
“If you’re eligible, please come forward – we know the jab protects you.”
And he said 18 people are in hospital with the Indian variant – of whom five have had one jab, and one – a “frail” patient – has had both.
Asked if anyone who has received two jabs has died of the illness, he replied: “Not that we’re aware of.”
The Indian strain is set to become dominant in Britain, experts believe.
Mr Hancock said: “I think it’s quite likely this will become the dominant variant.
“We don’t know exactly how much more transmissible it is but I think it is likely it will become the dominant variant here.
“What that reinforces is the importance of people coming forward for testing and being careful because this isn’t over yet.
“But the good news is because we have increasing confidence that the vaccine works against the variant, the strategy is on track – it’s just the virus has just gained a bit of pace and we’ve therefore all got to be that bit much more careful and cautious.”
Meanwhile, Professor John Edmunds of Sage said there’s a possibility Boris Johnson may need to row back on the unlocking of the UK if cases of the mutation continue to surge.
He told Mr Marr: “I don’t think we should rule anything out.
“If things get worse rapidly, action needs to be taken.”
However, Professor Adam Finn of the JCVI – the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation – was more upbeat.
He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge: “It’s difficult to be very definite about this particular variant.
“One piece of reassuring news is we’ve seen is consistently good protection against severe disease with vaccines and viruses so far.
“I am cautiously optimistic that will continue to be case also with this version of the virus.”
