COVID Vaccine Rollout Extended To Over-70s In England

People across England aged 70 and over, as well as those listed as clinically extremely vulnerable, will begin receiving offers of a coronavirus vaccine this week.

The UK has approximately 5.6 million people aged 70. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the move was a "significant milestone" in the nation's vaccination programme. Currently over five million people - from priority groups three and four - will be invited from Monday to have the jab.

The expansion of the vaccination programme comes after the number of people to receive their first dose increased to 3.8 million across the UK, which is more than have tested positive (3.4 million) since the pandemic began.

Nadhim Zahawi, the minister responsible for the vaccine rollout said that he expected to see a "gradual" easing in coronavirus restrictions, potentially starting about two or three weeks after the most vulnerable groups had been vaccinated and had begun to receive protection from the jabs.

Nadhim Zahawi