Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said he is “absolutely delighted” that more than half of the UK population has now received their first vaccine.
Government data shows 33,508,590 first doses have been given – the UK’s estimated population is 66.7m.
More than 12 million people who are “most vulnerable to Covid” have been given both doses of the vaccine.
Mr Hancock called it “a brilliant milestone”, saying “this vaccination programme is our way out” on Twitter.
“It’s clearly saving lives – we can see that – and it’s meaning that fewer people are catching the disease as well.”
He added that he was “thrilled” the uptake among those aged over 50 was over 95% “which will give this country so much protection in the weeks and months ahead.”
