The NHS vaccination programme has entered a new phase, with people aged 65 and over, together with an expanded group of clinically vulnerable people, now receiving the coronavirus jab.

Latest figures show that the NHS had vaccinated 15 million of the most vulnerable people across the UK, in line with the deadline set by the government. That includes 13,165,548 delivered in England alone, of which 12,675,663 were first doses.

NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has praised the ‘extraordinary’ efforts of GPs, nurses, pharmacists, volunteers and thousands of others in protecting millions of people in just 10 weeks.

He said: “Hitting this milestone just 10 weeks after the NHS made history by delivering the first Covid vaccination outside of a clinical trial is a remarkable shared achievement. The NHS vaccination programme is the biggest and fastest in Europe – and in the health service’s history – and that is down to the skill, care, and downright hard work of our fantastic staff, supported by local communities, volunteers and the armed forces.

“On behalf of the whole country it’s right to mark this successful first phase with a huge thank you to everyone involved in this extraordinary team effort.”

Now, over one million people aged 65 and over have now been invited to book a vaccination, with another 1.2 million set to be invited throughout the week. Carers will also be offered the chance to get vaccinated.

Five more large scale vaccination centres will also open their doors from this week, joining over 1,500 sites already in place across the country. The five new sites starting to jab from this week are: Alderley Park Conference centre; Burnley Mall; Chester Race Course; Preston St Johns; and Westgate Chichester.