The UK has administered more than 15 million vaccines, official data have revealed.
According to the latest government data as of February 12, a total of 15,091,696 Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in the UK so far.
Of the total 15 million, 14,556,827 were first doses and about 534,869 were second doses – an increase of 4,775 in figures released the previous day.
The problem comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he expected a combination of vaccines and new treatments to mean Covid-19 could be a “treatable disease” by the end of the year.
But concerns have been raised about the rate of vaccine absorption among some communities.
Mr. Hancock made a direct appeal to anyone over 70 who has not yet had the vaccine to contact the NHS over the weekend to make an appointment.
“I am determined to protect as many of the most vulnerable people in our country as possible from this terrible disease as quickly as possible,” he said. “Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic.”
Vaccine acceptance has been mostly high, with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) reporting a 93 percent adherence rate among those over 75 in England.
DHSC is now looking to work with community organizations and charities in England to address concerns that are making some reluctant to receive the injection, while seeking to dispel the “myths” that circulate on social media.
Sir Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England, praised the team for its efforts to reach millions of people with vaccines.
On a visit to Coventry University Hospitals and Warwickshire NHS Trust with May Parsons, the nurse who delivered the first vaccination in the world outside a clinical trial to Maggie Keenan in December, Sir Simon said: “It’s thanks to a fantastic team like May that year the NHS is offering Covid’s largest and fastest vaccination program in Europe.
“The entire NHS has mobilized to protect the most vulnerable, supported by communities that have joined together with volunteers, local authorities, armed forces and local businesses.
“After a year of enormous pandemic pressure, it was a great and unique team effort that gave us real hope for the future.”
Additional reporting by PA Media.