UK breaks record for Covid vaccine second doses with more than 475,000 jabs given in just 24 hours
A RECORD-BREAKING number of Covid vaccine second doses were given in the UK in just 24 hours.
Saturday saw a whopping 475,230 second jabs administered - along with 111,109 first doses - just as Britain prepares to take its next steps out of lockdown.
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It is the fourth day in a row the number of second doses administered has surpassed 400,000, according to the latest government figures.
Data up to April 10 shows that of the 39,587,893 jabs given in the UK so far, 32,121,353 were first doses - a rise of 111,109 on the previous day.
And 7,466,540 were second doses, an increase of 475,230.
Boris Johnson welcomed a record figures, tweeting: "Yesterday was a record-breaking day with 475,230 people receiving second doses. More than 7 million have now been fully vaccinated.
"Thanks to everyone involved in this extraordinary effort which has already saved thousands of lives."
The staggering numbers come as coronavirus deaths dropped to single figures for the first time in seven months - the day before the next stage of the great unlocking of Britain unfolds.
It comes as...
- Thousands of more pubs can open on April 12 as outdoor boozing rules are eased
- Pubs and restaurants dust off tables and glasses as businesses prepare to FINALLY open their doors tomorrow
- More than half of Brits live in Covid-free areas
- Rishi Sunak facing calls to axe the tax on Covid tests before return of foreign holidays
- Covid vaccine passports will be short-term 'bridge to freedom'
- Parents WON’T have to pay for Covid tests for kids under 11 when they go on foreign holidays, government sources say
Yesterday's figures revealed seven deaths occurred in the latest 24-hour period - the lowest daily figure since September 13 when there were five coronavirus-related deaths.
A total of 1,730 new cases were also registered in the past day - the lowest daily number of infections since September 2 last year.
It means the total number of infections in the UK now stands at 4,369,775 while the death toll is 127,087.
Yesterday's figures offer a glimmer of hope that the country is on top of the pandemic - just as Brits prepare for the next phase of lockdown lifting.
From today, pubs and restaurants are able to open for outdoor dining once more.
Hairdressers, non-essential retail, as well as indoor gyms and swimming pools, will also welcome customers back for the first time in months.
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And libraries, zoos and nail salons will also reopen as greater outdoor interaction is permitted
But mixing with other households indoors remains heavily restricted.
The next date earmarked on the road map is May 17, when socialising indoors will be permitted under the "rule of six" if the Prime Minister judges that the vaccination programme is safely breaking the link between infections and deaths.
