After reaching the target to vaccinate the first four priority groups by 15th January, the government has announced that phase two of the vaccination programme is underway.
The news comes amidst reports that the R number in the UK has fallen below 1 for the first time since July.
Phase one saw the Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines offered to everyone above the age of 70, older care home residents, certain health and care workers, and the clinically extremely vulnerable. On Sunday, the BBC reported that 15 million first doses had been given out.
Phase two encompasses the remaining five priority groups, including those aged 50-69, adults with underlying health conditions, and unpaid carers for the elderly and disabled.
The government has stated that they are aiming to offer the first dose to everyone in these remaining priority groups by the end of April – constituting 17 million people – according to Sky News.
The order of priority for those not included in the top nine priority groups is yet to be decided. However, it is expected that the next order of priority will be decided by profession, with teachers and police officers likely to be at the front of the queue.
Meanwhile, the government has stated that the deadline to vaccinate all adults is the beginning of autumn.
Whilst this news is certainly encouraging, doubt remains over the efficacy of vaccines at reducing transmission. Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi stated that “we have a couple of very large-scale studies related to giving us better data on the vaccines. We should be able to see really good data in the next few weeks from those studies.”
At this time, the government also aims to have updated versions of vaccines ready for use as “boosters” against the virus.
Whilst concerns about the uptake of the vaccine are emerging, particularly regarding BAME communities, the government has published an “uptake plan” as part of ongoing efforts to encourage those currently eligible for a dose of the vaccine to come forward.
Alice Manning
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