In 2021, approximately 132 million COVID-19 vaccinations were administered across all four nations of the UK, as part of the largest vaccination programme in Britain’s history, which included many aesthetic nurses and doctors who volunteered to administer the vaccines.
Now, nearly 34 million people have protection from the Omicron variant at the beginning of 2022. Last year, nearly 51 million people received their first dose and over 47 million received a second of a COVID-19 vaccine. Over 90% of those aged 12 and over have now had their first dose, while 82.4% have had their second.
‘The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges our health service has ever faced and our historic vaccination programme has been vital in helping us step up to meet this challenge,’ said Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary.
‘132 million vaccinations in a single year is astounding and a true reflection of the fantastic work of our NHS and its volunteers – I want to thank each and every one of them. But we need to make sure people continue to come forward for their life-saving jab. As we go into the new year, make sure you Get Boosted Now to kick off 2022 with the best possible protection from Omicron.’
The UK Government confirmed that it had met its objective of offering all eligible adults in England the chance to get a COVID-19 top-up dose by the end of December 2021, and the latest data shows that 28.4 million adults in England have received their booster jab. Three in four eligible adults in England have now received a top-up dose.
‘The NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme has delivered more than 111 million life-saving doses across England, with three in four eligible adults having received their vital booster jab thanks to the rapid expansion of the booster programme over the last few weeks,’ said Dr Emily Lawson, Head of the NHS Vaccination Programme.