Government publishes vaccination plan revealing when everyone can expect to get a jab
Here's when you are likely to get a Covid-19 vaccination
Jonathan WalkerPolitical Editor
The Government expects everyone aged 50 and over to be offered a coronavirus vaccination by the spring.
They will be included in the first phase of the vaccination programme, along with people of any age who are clinically vulnerable; care home workers; healthcare workers, and social workers.
The detailed plan for vaccinating the nation was published today by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who also led a Downing Street press conference.
A total of 32 million people across the UK will be included in this first phase of the vaccination programme. Once they have been offered at least one vaccination, the remaining adult population, including 21 million people, will become eligible for vaccinations.
But people included in the first phase currently make up 99% of those who have died from Covid-19.
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Mr Hancock said he wanted life to get back to normal as soon as possible, saying: "I want us to have that great British summer".
Here's the timetable for vaccinations:
The Government says everyone in the top four groups should have been offered a first dose of the vaccine by February 15.
First in line: Care Home Residents (300,000 people) and residential Care Workers (500,000 people)
Second: Everyone aged 80 (3.3m people), healthcare workers (2.4m people) and social care workers (1.4m people)
Third: Everyone aged 75 to 79 (2.3m people)
Fourth: Everyone aged 70 to 74 (3.2m people) and people under 70 with a serious medical condition that makes them "clinically extremely vulnerable" (1.2m people)
Then, vaccinations will be offered to people in the following order:
Fifth: Everyone aged 65 to 69 (2.9m people)
Sixth: People under 65 with a medical condition that makes them "at risk" (7.3m people)
Seventh: Everyone aged 60 to 64 (1.8m people)
Eighth: Everyone aged 55 to 59 (2.4m people)
Ninth: Everyone aged 50 to 54 (2.8m people)
Ministers have not set a firm date for vaccinating all these people, but says they should receive a jab by spring. Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, Stephen Powis, NHS England Medical Director, said the aim was to provide vaccinations by April.
The priority groups have been drawn up by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The vaccination plan stated: "It will likely take until Spring to offer the first dose of vaccination to the JCVI priority groups 1-9, with estimated cover of around 27 million people in England and 32 million people across the UK"
Once the nine priority groups have been vaccinated, the Government will begin offering jabs to the rest of the population, which includes 21 million people - and it hopes to have offered every adult a vaccination "by the autumn".
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At this stage, some key workers might be moved to the front of the queue. The vaccination plan stated: "Phase 2 of the roll-out may include further reduction in hospitalisation and targeted vaccination of those at high risk of exposure and/or those delivering key public services."
It said: "Across the UK, we have already vaccinated over 2 million people, and are on track to deliver on our commitment to offer a first vaccine to everyone in the most vulnerable groups by the middle of February. These groups have so far accounted for 88 per cent of Covid-19 fatalities. Then, we will expand the programme so all adults can be vaccinated by the autumn."
The Government says it will provide vaccines through large vaccination centres; major hospitals, and local services including GPs and pharmacists.
Currently, 96% of the population in England lives within 10 miles of a vaccine service. By the end of January, everyone will live within 10 miles of a vaccination centre, the Government says.
And by the end of January, the Government aims to vaccinate several hundred thousand a day, and at least 2 million people per week.
Mr Hancock urged the public to follow coronavirus rules and reduce all social contact that is not "absolutely" necessary.
He said the new variant of coronavirus is "highly contagious and it is putting the NHS under very significant pressure".
Mr Hancock echoed England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty in saying "we're at the worst point in this pandemic".
And he said: "The NHS, more than ever before, needs everybody to be doing something right now – and that something is to follow the rules.
"I know there has been speculation about more restrictions, and we don't rule out taking further action if it is needed, but it is your actions now that can make a difference.
"Stay at home, and please reduce all social contact that is not absolutely strictly necessary. That's what is needed: act like you have the virus."
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