This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55274833

The article has changed 169 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 154 Version 155
Covid vaccine: How many people are vaccinated in the UK? Covid vaccine: How many people are vaccinated in the UK?
(12 days later)
The UK is ramping up its Covid vaccine booster campaign - part of an attempt to reduce the impact of the new Omicron variant, currently spreading across a number of countries. The UK has ramped up its Covid vaccine booster campaign - part of an attempt to reduce the impact of the new Omicron variant, currently spreading rapidly across the world.
With nine in 10 of those aged 12 or over having had a single jab and eight in 10 having had a second, the focus has shifted to boosters, which show promising signs of protecting against illness and death from Omicron. With nine in 10 of those aged 12 or over in the UK having had a single jab and eight in 10 having had a second, the country has shifted its focus to boosters, which have been shown to offer significant protection from hospitalisation.
About 32 million boosters or third doses have been given so far. Although more than 34 million boosters, or third doses, have been given so far, the government is urging more people to come forward to help the country "ride out" the Omicron wave without the need for further restrictions.
Who can get a vaccine or a booster?Who can get a vaccine or a booster?
The vaccine rollout was launched in winter 2020 and began with those considered most vulnerable before later moving down the adult age groups. All those aged 12 and over are now being offered two doses. The vaccine rollout was launched in winter 2020 and began with those considered most vulnerable before later moving down the adult age groups. All those aged 12 and over are eligible for two doses.
If you can't see the lookup, click hereIf you can't see the lookup, click here
A booster campaign, originally targeted at people over 40 or belonging to a number of other vulnerable groups, has been extended to all over-18s.A booster campaign, originally targeted at people over 40 or belonging to a number of other vulnerable groups, has been extended to all over-18s.
The government says every eligible adult will be offered a booster jab by the end of the year. The minimum gap between the second jab and booster dose has also been reduced from six to three months, to speed up the booster rollout process.
The minimum gap between the second jab and booster dose has also been reduced from six to three months, to speed up the process. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on all adults to come forward to get a third dose, saying it is "absolutely heart-breaking" that up to 90% of people in intensive care with Covid have not had a booster jab and more than 60% have not had any vaccine at all.
So far, the UK has approved four vaccines for use: Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna and Janssen; three of which require two doses for maximum protection.So far, the UK has approved four vaccines for use: Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna and Janssen; three of which require two doses for maximum protection.
All those aged under 40 are being offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine due to evidence linking it to rare blood clots. Those receiving boosters will get one dose of Pfizer or half a dose of Moderna.
The vaccine currently being used for under-18s in the UK is Pfizer-BioNTech, but the Moderna vaccine has also been authorised for use in children.
Those eligible for boosters will receive one dose of Pfizer or half a dose of Moderna.
There is no vaccine currently approved for use in the under-12s.There is no vaccine currently approved for use in the under-12s.
How is the vaccine and booster rollout going?How is the vaccine and booster rollout going?
So far, more than 51 million people have had a first vaccine dose - some 90% of over-12s. More than 47 million - 82% of over-12s - have had both doses. So far, almost 52 million people have had a first vaccine dose - some 90% of over-12s. More than 47 million - 82% of over-12s - have had both doses.
While uptake of first and second doses has dropped off, there has been a steep rise in people having boosters. While uptake of first and second doses dropped off, there had been a steep rise in people having boosters - however booster numbers also dipped over the Christmas holiday period.
About 32 million booster doses have been administered across the UK, with a daily average of almost 890,000 jabs. More than 34 million booster doses have been administered across the UK so far.
Vaccination rates have now levelled off in every age group in England apart from the youngest bands, as the chart below shows. Overall vaccination rates have now levelled off in every age group in England apart from the youngest bands, and have also begun to level off for boosters among the oldest groups.
The highest rates of vaccination can be seen in the oldest age groups - among the first to be vaccinated.
The aim of the vaccination programme is to protect as many people as possible from serious illness through developing the UK population's immunity against Covid-19.The aim of the vaccination programme is to protect as many people as possible from serious illness through developing the UK population's immunity against Covid-19.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests more than nine in 10 adults in the UK now have coronavirus antibodies - which is evidence of a past Covid infection or having received at least one dose of a vaccine.Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests more than nine in 10 adults in the UK now have coronavirus antibodies - which is evidence of a past Covid infection or having received at least one dose of a vaccine.
However, this figure does not tell us how many people are protected from infection or how close we are to reaching herd immunity - the point at which everyone is protected, directly or indirectly, as a result of high immunity levels in the population.However, this figure does not tell us how many people are protected from infection or how close we are to reaching herd immunity - the point at which everyone is protected, directly or indirectly, as a result of high immunity levels in the population.
Will a vaccine give us our old lives back?Will a vaccine give us our old lives back?
Covid vaccine: When will you be eligible?Covid vaccine: When will you be eligible?
Is Covid at risk of becoming a disease of the poor?Is Covid at risk of becoming a disease of the poor?
Has the rollout been even across all areas?Has the rollout been even across all areas?
Across the country, there continues to be some variation in the vaccine programme.Across the country, there continues to be some variation in the vaccine programme.
Scotland has vaccinated 92% of those aged 12 and over with at least one dose, while Wales and England have reached 90% and Northern Ireland 87%. Scotland has vaccinated 92% of those aged 12 and over with at least one dose, while Wales has reached 91%, England 90% and Northern Ireland 88%.
Second doses are also being rolled out, with all nations reaching more than 80% of over-12s so far.Second doses are also being rolled out, with all nations reaching more than 80% of over-12s so far.
Across the English regions, the South West has vaccinated 86% of the same age group with at least one dose, while London has reached 68%. Across the English regions, the South West has vaccinated 86% of the same age group with at least one dose, while London has reached 69%.
When looking at boosters, the South West has reached 57% of people aged 12 and over, while for London the figure is 36%. When looking at boosters, the South West has reached 62% of people aged 12 and over, while for London the figure is 39%.
Another way of measuring booster uptake is to look at the people who were double jabbed before October, as you must wait at least three months to get a booster after your second jab.Another way of measuring booster uptake is to look at the people who were double jabbed before October, as you must wait at least three months to get a booster after your second jab.
Among the nations, Scotland leads the way, with about 73% of those who were double jabbed by early October receiving a booster as of 22 December. England wasn't far behind, with 71% coverage. Among the nations, Scotland leads the way, with about 79% of those who were double jabbed by early October receiving a booster as of 4 January. England isn't far behind, with 77% coverage as of the previous day. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland has about 70% booster uptake.
Data for Wales was slightly behind other nations, but as of 19 December it had 59% uptake. Data for Wales is slightly behind other nations, but as of 26 December, coverage is at 67%.
The figures (see *note below) may differ from those for booster uptake in the population, which include some people not yet eligible for a booster jab.The figures (see *note below) may differ from those for booster uptake in the population, which include some people not yet eligible for a booster jab.
There have also been disparities between ethnic groups and poorer and wealthier areas.There have also been disparities between ethnic groups and poorer and wealthier areas.
Analysis of NHS records by the OpenSAFELY group - a collaboration between Oxford University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - shows that black people were the least likely to have received a booster vaccine.Analysis of NHS records by the OpenSAFELY group - a collaboration between Oxford University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - shows that black people were the least likely to have received a booster vaccine.
The study was based on more than 20 million patient records in England and covers people not living in care homes. Areas of London are under-represented in the data.The study was based on more than 20 million patient records in England and covers people not living in care homes. Areas of London are under-represented in the data.
In addition, booster take-up in poorer areas is lower than in more affluent areas.In addition, booster take-up in poorer areas is lower than in more affluent areas.
Is there enough vaccine?Is there enough vaccine?
Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna and one-shot Janssen vaccines are approved for use throughout the UK.Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna and one-shot Janssen vaccines are approved for use throughout the UK.
Others, such as those produced by Novavax and Valneva, have not yet been given the green light.Others, such as those produced by Novavax and Valneva, have not yet been given the green light.
The UK had ordered more than 540 million doses of seven of the most promising vaccines, including the four so far approved for use.The UK had ordered more than 540 million doses of seven of the most promising vaccines, including the four so far approved for use.
In addition, the government has now signed deals to buy 114 million more doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to use in 2022 and 2023.In addition, the government has now signed deals to buy 114 million more doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to use in 2022 and 2023.
French vaccine maker Valneva said the UK government had scrapped a deal for 100m doses of its vaccine, which is yet to be approved.French vaccine maker Valneva said the UK government had scrapped a deal for 100m doses of its vaccine, which is yet to be approved.
*Note on map data: Booster analysis must be viewed with caution as towns and cities tend to have younger populations who have had access to second jabs and boosters for a shorter amount of time. This means these areas may have a lower percentage uptake for logistical reasons compared with parts of the country with older populations.*Note on map data: Booster analysis must be viewed with caution as towns and cities tend to have younger populations who have had access to second jabs and boosters for a shorter amount of time. This means these areas may have a lower percentage uptake for logistical reasons compared with parts of the country with older populations.
LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?
YOUR QUESTIONS: We answer your queriesYOUR QUESTIONS: We answer your queries
GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there?GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there?
THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it mattersTHE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters
TEST AND TRACE: How does it work?TEST AND TRACE: How does it work?