People aged 36 and 37 will be offered the coronavirus vaccine this week, Matt Hancock said.
Speaking to MPs in the House of Commons, the Health Secretary announced the extension of the vaccine rollout after people aged 38 and 39 were able to reserve a vaccine last week.
He urges people to receive the jab as a case of the Indian variant COVID continue to increase.
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He said there were now more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the variant in the UK – including 483 in Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen.
Cases had doubled last week – to 19 people Bolt hospitalized with the variant and eight in Blackburn.
Mr Hancock revealed there were 86 local authorities where there were five or more confirmed cases of the Indian variant and said surge tests would be carried out in Bedford following an increase in cases.
In Bolton, a rapid response team has been “deployed” to the region, including the deployment of 50 additional vaccinators, the opening of two new vaccination centers and six screening centers.
The vaccination rate there tripled over the weekend, with 6,200 people receiving a vaccine.
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Further restrictions were lifted on Monday, with hospitality allowed to open up indoor areas, outdoor gatherings for up to 30 people, and international travel allowed.
The total number of people who received their first dose of the vaccine now stands at 36,704,672, while 20,287,403 people have received two doses.
Guidelines recently changed on the AstraZeneca vaccine, with those under 40 being offered an alternative after a small number of blood clots were reported.
However, on Sunday Professor Adam Finn of the University of Bristol and member of the Joint Committee on …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-17 16:51:00
