NHS is vaccinating at rate of 200 jabs a minute, says Matt Hancock

A woman is seen outside the Covid-19 vaccination centre at the ExCel London, 
AFP via Getty Images
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The NHS is vaccinating people against Covid-19 at the rate of 200 jabs every minute, Matt Hancock has said.

The Health Secretary told MPs that the country has now given more than five million doses to 4.6 million people.

The news came as government data showed that the number of new cases of Covid-19 per head of population has been falling in all regions of England.

For example, in London, the rolling seven-day rate as of January 15 stood at 703.7 cases per 100,000 people – down from 1,053.4 a week earlier, and the lowest since the seven days to December 19.

People wait to receive the virus vaccine inside a former nightclub that has been turned into a NHS vaccine centre
REUTERS

Speaking in the Commons this morning, he said: “This virus is a lethal threat to us all and, as we respond through this huge endeavour (to vaccinate), let’s all take comfort in the fact we’re giving 200 vaccinations every minute.

“In the meantime, everyone must follow the rules to protect the NHS and save lives, and we can do that safe in the knowledge that the tide will turn and that, with science, we will prevail.”

Despite the data published by the government showing a fall in new cases, a further 1,820 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test were reported in the UK on Wednesday

But Hancock told MPs that 63 per cent of care home residents have now been inoculated, and said early indications are that Covid-19 vaccines can deal with some of the newer variants of the virus.

In response to a question from shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth on the South African variant which may pose a reinfection risk, Mr Hancock said: “Obviously we are vigilant to this and keep this under close review.

“I’m glad to say that the early indications are that the new variant is dealt with by the vaccine just as much as the old variant, but of course we are vigilant to the new variants that we’re seeing overseas.”

BRITAIN-HEALTH-VIRUS
The Health Secretary told MPs today the country has now given more than five million doses of vaccines to 4.6 million people.
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

However Hancock did urge people to remain cautious after receiving their Covid-19 vaccine as he warned that it does not work immediately. 

He said: “After you’ve been vaccinated, you can still catch coronavirus for several weeks and it’s really important that people know this. 

“When people are vaccinated, they are told essentially the time that it takes and the limit of the effectiveness, especially in that early period, and told very clearly that you have to still follow the rules. 

“That’s an important part of this, especially until we can measure the effectiveness of the vaccination programme on transmission. In fact, only yesterday I reviewed the communications that go to people when they’ve been vaccinated and they are very clear and robust."

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