LONDON – England will launch the next phase of its 19-month COVID vaccination program, when it will start offering doses to people aged 70 and over and those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus.
The vaccination program – the largest to date in Europe – has so far focused on people aged 80 and over, as well as front-line care and health staff.
“Today is an important step in our vaccination program, as we open it up to millions of people who are most at risk for COVID-19,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday.
“We have a long way to go and there will no doubt be challenges – but working together we are making huge strides in our fight against this virus.”
Health Minister Matt Hancock said more than half of all those over 80 have now had a vaccination.
The UK – which has the highest death toll in Europe’s COVID-19 – hopes progress in vaccine launches will ease some of the economically damaging blockade restrictions in March, Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said.
The government wanted all adults to be given a first vaccination by September, he said, adding: “If we can do it faster than that, it’s great. But this is the roadmap. “
Johnson has set a goal of vaccinating the four highest-risk categories – about 14 million people – by mid-February.
The government has said that the first two groups in its program will remain its priority, but that vaccinations that can accommodate more people will invite members of the next two cohorts for photos.
Sunday’s announcement of vaccinations in England, a health ministry spokesman said. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own health policy powers.
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