The target was previously September
Every adult in the UK will be offered the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of July 2021, the government have announced.
Boris Johnson has also pledged to give every adult over the age of 50 their first jab as soon as April 15th.
“Hitting 15 million vaccinations was a significant milestone – but there will be no let up, and I want to see the rollout go further and faster in the coming weeks,” Johnson said.
“We will now aim to offer a jab to every adult by the end of July, helping us to protect the most vulnerable sooner and take further steps to ease some of the restrictions.
“But there should be no doubt – the route out of lockdown will be cautious and phased, as we all continue to protect ourselves and those around us.”
Having squandered almost everything else in the pandemic, the government have seen a rapid vaccine roll-out, with more than 17 million Brits having already received their first jab as of Saturday night.
Those in high priority groups have been put top of the list, while some have been able to get vaccinated sooner than expected due to leftover doses at the end of a day.
After a positive start to the vaccine roll-out, Boris Johnson is now pledging to have every adult at least part vaccinated by the end of July, having previously set a target of September. If they want the vaccine, that is. If they don’t, well, reap what you sow.
While this pledge is to give everyone their first dose, not both, before the end of July, it is worth noting that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine offers 85 per cent protection after just one dose, according to studies.
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, meanwhile, offers 76 per cent protection for the full 12-week period between the first and second dose.
