The rollout of vaccination in the UK has saved more than 14,000 lives and avoided 44,500 hospitalizations in England alone, including 2,500 in the past two weeks, according to Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi.
Speaking at a press briefing in Downing Street, he hailed the figures as “real progress” but warned “we know there is a lot more to do” because Cases of delta variants continue to increase.
Hailing “the spirit of Dunkirk” shown by the millions who have accepted the vaccine offer, Zahawi pledged to step up efforts to encourage more people to come forward for the vaccines – including London where the take was “slightly behind” in other areas of the country.
COVID updates live from UK and around the world
A summit will be held in the capital on Friday by NHS chiefs, clinicians and the mayor.
Giving an example, he said there had been more than two million people over the age of 50 in England who had received a first dose but not a second. However, in the past two weeks that figure had dropped to 900,000.
Mr Zahawi said the program “saved thousands of lives” by putting doses into the guns before restrictions were eased on July 19.
“The only thing you know, we know, is that vaccines make the real difference. Vaccines are our way out of this pandemic,” he said.
“The latest data shows that the vaccination program has already saved more than 14,000 lives, and I can share with you that it has now avoided more than 44,500 hospitalizations in England alone, or 2,500 hospitalizations averted over the years. last two weeks. “
Mr Zahawi said “this country is getting a little bit safer every day”, adding: “No matter how old you are, whatever your background, the vaccine will protect you.”
He said: “Enthusiasm is making a huge difference. We have already administered the first doses to almost half of all 25-29 year olds in England and only a week after the program opened to all adults on Friday, one third of people aged between 18 …
More information about this article Read More
Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-06-23 14:56:00
