UK Begins Mass Vaccination Programme Against Covid-19

Strategic Insights -

As the UK embarks on its largest ever vaccination programme, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed the start of the Covid-19 jab rollout as a "huge step forward" in the country's fight against the virus. The programme, set to vaccinate millions of people against coronavirus, has begun administering doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at hospital hubs across the country. The vaccine, which has been shown to be 95% effective against Covid-19, will initially be offered to over-80s, care home staff, and health workers, with the aim of eventually vaccinating millions of people.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK has become the first country in the world to start vaccinating people with the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, with 800,000 doses delivered to hospital hubs.
  • The vaccine has been shown to be 95% effective against Covid-19 and works across all age groups, including the elderly.
  • Over-80s, care home staff, and health workers will be among the first to receive the vaccine, with the aim of vaccinating millions of people against coronavirus.
  • GP surgeries have been told to prepare to start staffing GP-led vaccination centres from next week, with over 1,250 primary care networks in England designated to administer vaccines.
  • The UK has secured 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 20 million people, with more doses to arrive in due course.

Statistics:

  • 800,000 doses of the vaccine have been delivered to UK hospital hubs.
  • 400,000 people can be vaccinated with the 800,000 doses delivered.
  • 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been secured, enough for 20 million people.
  • 1,250 primary care networks in England have been designated to administer vaccines.
  • 190,000 seriously ill Covid-19 patients have been cared for by hospitals in the UK.

Sources:

  • Boris Johnson, "UK takes huge step forward in fight against coronavirus as vaccine rollout begins",
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock, "We will look back on today, V-Day, as a key moment in our fight back against this terrible disease",
  • NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens, "The deployment of this vaccine marks a decisive turning point in the battle with the pandemic",