Coronavirus: Five million people now fully vaccinated against Covid in UK

Government data shows that 124,415 first doses were given in the UK on 2 April, and 256,870 were given the same day

(REUTERS)

More than 5 million people in the UK are now fully vaccinated against coronavirus, the latest government data shows.

Data from NHS England shows that 36,631,187 vaccines have been given in the UK since 8 December 2020. Of these, 31,425,682 were first doses, and 5,205,505 were second doses.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “We’ve reached another milestone in our vaccination programme with over 5 million people now having had their second jab.

“I urge everyone to take up their second dose as soon as they are offered it.”

In a tweet celebrating the vaccination milestone, health secretary Matt Hancock wrote “the vaccine is safe & effective, so when it’s your turn, come forward & get the jab.”

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi tweeted: “5.2m second doses, our focus is making sure the most vulnerable groups 1-9 get their second doses. That is 99% of mortality.”

Public Health Wales said a total of 1,472,643 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now been given in Wales, as well 463,445 second doses.

Despite vaccine hesitancy within mainland Europe, current data does not present any evidence that vaccine take-up within the UK is slowing, according to a public health expert.

Professor Linda Bauld of Edinburgh University said all studies indicated the jab was safe and effective, while the fact different countries were reviewing their position was a sign that the system was working.