By Over two thirds of people aged between 65 and 69 have now had their first Covid vaccination, after invites went out a week ago, with people aged 64 also set to be called forward this week, NHS England has announced.
Anyone aged 65 to 69 who has not been vaccinated is now being urged to respond to their recent invite to get their life-saving jab at one of the more than 100 vaccination centres and almost 200 pharmacies across the country.
More than 17 million people have been given a jab since the UK’s Covid vaccine rollout began in December 2020.
But Boris Johnson said he now wants the programme to “go further and faster”.
He said the July target would allow vulnerable people to be protected “sooner” and would help to further ease lockdown rules across the country.
NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said there were “early signs” the vaccine rollout was contributing to a fall in hospital admissions.
The PM is due to hold a final meeting with senior ministers about how to ease England’s lockdown later, before he sets out the full “road map” on Monday.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Our vaccination programme is accelerating at unprecedented pace and in England we have now vaccinated over 14 million of those most vulnerable to COVID with their first dose.
“Every jab brings hope. Each jab means more of our loved ones will soon be protected from this awful virus and is another step forward in returning to normality in the future.
“I urge everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to come forward as soon as possible so we can beat this pandemic together.”
