LONDON – England will launch the next phase of its COVID-19 vaccination program on Monday, when it will start offering doses to people aged 70 and over and those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus.
The vaccination program – the largest so far in Europe – has so far focused on people aged 80 and over, as well as health and healthcare teams.
“Today is a significant milestone in our vaccination program, as we have opened it to millions of people who are most at risk with COVID-19,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday.
“We have a long way to go and there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead – but, working together, we are making great progress in our fight against this virus.”
Health Minister Matt Hancock said more than half of all people over 80 have been vaccinated.
Britain – which has the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in Europe – hopes that progress with the launch of the vaccines will allow it to ease some of the economically damaging restrictions on the blockade in March, said Foreign Minister Dominic Raab.
The government wanted all adults to receive a first vaccination by September, he said, adding: “If we can do this faster than that, great. But this is the roadmap.”
Johnson set a goal to vaccinate the four highest-risk categories – covering about 14 million people – by mid-February.
The government said the first two groups in its program will remain its priority, but that vaccination sites that can receive more people will invite members of the next two cohorts to vaccinate.
Sunday’s announcement is related to vaccines in England, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Health. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own powers over health policy.
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