Over 20 million people have received a vaccine so far across the United Kingdom. As the Prime Minister has set out, our ambition is now to offer a coronavirus vaccine to every adult in the country by the end of July.
We have administered over 20.8 million vaccines across the UK - averaging more than 2.5 million doses a week and have vaccinated 1 in 3 adults across the country. From today, 60 - 63 year olds will receive their invite to get the vaccine.
Yesterday there was 6035 daily new cases of COVID-19, which is the lowest amount of new cases since 28th September 2020. The 7-day average for COVID-19 deaths is also down by 33.5%.
Extra £1.6 billion for UK's COVID-19 vaccination rollout
Today, the Chancellor has announced an extra £1.65 billion for our Covid vaccine programme – helping to maintain the momentum of the rollout as we work to reach our target of offering a vaccine to every adult by the end of July.
The speed at which our vaccine programme has progressed has been extraordinary and we want to thank everyone involved for their efforts – but we must ensure we keep up the momentum.
That is why the Government are putting an extra £1.65 billion into the programme, as well as pledging £22 million of existing funding into a trial to establish, if using different vaccine doses could offer more flexibility, and £5 million for the Centre for Process Innovation to acquire a library of vaccines to use in its work against different variants.
This funding will help us meet our target of offering a vaccine to every adult in the UK by 31 July and help us to lift restrictions, reopen our economy and focus our attention on creating jobs and levelling up every part of the UK.
All households with children of school age to get 2 rapid COVID-19 tests per person per week
Yesterday, the Government announced that all households with children of school age will be able to get two rapid covid-19 tests per person per week – delivering on our commitment to get children back in school and slow the spread of the virus.
Young people have shown incredible resilience over the last year, continuing with their education amidst unprecedented challenges – but we want to see our children back in the classroom from March 8.
That is why the Government are providing regular, rapid testing to households, childcare and support bubbles of primary, secondary and college-age children and young people – helping to isolate new cases and keep our educational settings safe and children in school.
By everyone playing their part and getting tested regularly, vital public services, workplaces and educational settings can stay open and running, and we can move closer to a more normal way of life.
Rapid, regular testing for new groups is one of a range of new measures designed to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and support the successful return of more learners to face-to-face education and childcare settings. Testing is an additional tool, working in conjunction with other protective measures that are in place in schools to help protect staff and students including social distancing, handwashing and face covering. Schools and colleges will not be expected to provide the test kits to families or administer the family testing process.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should book a test online or by calling 119.
For any more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/all-households-with-children-of-school-aged-to-get-rapid-covid-19-tests-per-person-per-week.
