Covid vaccine total hits 6.4 million in England as Government ‘confident’ over AstraZeneca supplies

Boris Johnson holds a vial of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine during a visit a north London vaccination centre

(Getty Images)

Nearly 6.5 million people have been vaccinated against coronavirus in England alone as the Government attempts to assuage concerns over vaccine supplies.

A total of 6,405,554 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and January 25, according to provisional NHS England data released on Tuesday.

This includes first and second doses and marks a rise of 236,177 on Monday’s figures.

Of this, 5,962,544 were first doses – a rise of 234,851, while 443,010 were second doses – an increase of 1,326.

The figures came as the vaccines minister attempted to reassure Britons that the UK will continue to receive its deliveries of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab after the EU threatened to block exports.

Nadhim Zahawi said the UK’s vaccination programme was still on track, including offering all adults a first dose by the autumn and 15 million of the most vulnerable a jab by February 15.

Asked whether the EU could prevent Pfizer vials leaving its borders, Mr Zahawi told Sky News: “No, I’m confident that the Pfizer vaccine will be delivered.

“Pfizer have made sure that they have always delivered for us, they will continue to do so.

“They have made a very important announcement on the equitable supply of the whole world, including the European Union, and I’m sure they will deliver for the European Union, the United Kingdom and for the rest of the world.

“We have got 367 million vaccines that we have ordered from seven different suppliers, so I’m confident we will meet our target and continue to vaccinate the whole of the adult population by the autumn.”

This page is being updated.

Read More

Vaccine supply fears as ‘holidays in jeopardy’ under new travel rules

Vaccine row deepens as minister warns against ‘nationalism’

EU threatens export controls on Covid vaccines amid supply row