The NHS Covid vaccination programme has delivered more than 30 million first doses, with more than 600,000 appointments booked within 48 hours of people in their 30s being invited for the jab.
Those aged 38 and 39 have been able to arrange a jab through the National Booking Service since 14 May. Within 48 hours, 611,863 first and second dose appointments have been booked at a NHS Vaccination Centre or local pharmacy-led vaccination service.
Younger people in their thirties are expected to be invited over the next few days and weeks.
According to NHS data, more than two thirds of people aged 50 and over have been fully vaccinated after receiving both doses, while more than three quarters of those aged 40 to 49 have also received their first doses just a fortnight after they were offered a jab by the NHS.
In all, 30 million people have been protected with a first dose in England, two thirds of the total adult population.
Stephen Powis said: “Six months into the NHS Covid vaccination programme bookings are still surging, with more than 600,000 jabs booked in just 48 hours. The success of the programme, the biggest in NHS history and one of the fastest and most precise in the world, is no accident but the result of extensive planning and the sheer hard work of nurses, doctors and countless other staff supported by our brilliant volunteers.
“On the advice of the government and JCVI people aged 50 and over and the clinically vulnerable are having their second doses brought forward to counter the spread of the Indian variant. People should continue to attend their second dose appointments and nobody needs to contact the NHS – we will let those who should bring their appointment forward know, when they are able to do so.
“Getting the vaccine is the single most important step we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities against Covid-19, so when you’re called forward, book your appointment and join the tens of millions who have already been jabbed.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Our Covid-19 vaccination programme continues at a phenomenal pace, with over two thirds of adults in the UK vaccinated with at least one dose and over a third with both doses. This is testament to the tireless work of the NHS, volunteers, armed forces and civil servants in every corner of the UK. I’m delighted to see under-40s booking appointments so quickly and I urge everybody to do the same as soon as they are eligible.”
Dr Emily Lawson, Chief Commercial Officer for NHS England and Improvement, said: “The extraordinary success of the NHS Covid vaccination programme is not an accident but is thanks to the dedication of thousands of hardworking NHS staff and volunteers, and the exceptional planning and delivery of the world’s largest ever vaccine programme, helping us to hit yet another important milestone, with over 30 million people receiving their life-saving first jab.
“Getting the vaccine is the single most important step we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities against Covid-19, so when you’re called forward, book your appointment and join the tens of millions who have already been jabbed.”
