The UK is now running the fastest vaccination programme in the world

[Baileysforchristmas]

We have got a lot of things wrong but thanks to our scientists we are now leading on the way out of this

Matt Hancock's Commons statement to MPs

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, is making a statement to MPs about Covid.

He says today marks 12 weeks since Margaret Keenan became the first person in the world to receive a clinically approved vaccine.

He says the UK is now running the fastest vaccination programme in the world.

He says the halving time for hospital admissions (ie, the amount of time it takes for them to go down by half) is 18 days.

Among the over-80s it is falling every 12 days, he says.

Hancock says two more pieces of research show the impact the vaccination programme is having.

Brilliant news! Well done to everyone concerned.

It's fantastic.

While I utterly despise nationalism by governments, if it's keeping them motivated enough to race through this asap then I'm making an exception this time.

It is an astounding success story of early procurement and our NHS. They seem to have got this right.

Yep. For all the bashing the NHS gets on here, they have done a phenomenal job at organising and rolling out the vaccines.

Bout time the UK did something right

I think Israel was the fastest. but I've no complaints about the roll out in the UK

When Brigadier Prosser joined Boris at the press conference announcing the army was going to be working on the logistics of the roll out, he looked like a man who knew how to get stuff done.

@edwinbear

When Brigadier Prosser joined Boris at the press conference announcing the army was going to be working on the logistics of the roll out, he looked like a man who knew how to get stuff done.

I thought the same. Plus he’s Welsh so I’m cheering him on twice as hard

Poor old Canadians. my 77 year old cousin has been told he'll get his in April, and 71 year old wife in May

The population of Israel is 9 million, so they have vaccinated 18 million with double jabs for everyone, the UK have vaccinated over 20 million first jabs and just under a million second jabs.

That’s really great

@BruceAndNosh I have family in Canada, my auntie is 81 and still hasn’t had her vaccine 🙁

Just mind-blowingly impressive!

I am very proud to be part of this, and want to point out that there’s a lot of people working for free to get this job done.

UK have fully vaccinated approx 1.2% of the population.

Israel have fully vaccinated 40% of the population.

There are many other countries that have fully vaccinated a greater percentage than the UK.

I think numbers are better than percentages as Israel has a much smaller population.

Yea poor old Canadians. 22,000 deaths. UK: 120,000. A bit of perspective here.

In terms of single vaccine doses per 100 of the population, UK is currently 7th in the world.

@Haffiana

UK have fully vaccinated approx 1.2% of the population.

Israel have fully vaccinated 40% of the population.

There are many other countries that have fully vaccinated a greater percentage than the UK.

Still the one dose gives good effect doesn’t it?

So you’d have to compare decrease in numbers (deaths / hospitalisation)

Also most schools have remained opened in Canada. And restaurants. My dad (81) and both my sisters (who work in healthcare) have had their first dose.

Amazing what happens when a Government decides to let the experts provide their specialist services rather than give out untendered contracts to their mates innit??

@edwinbear

When Brigadier Prosser joined Boris at the press conference announcing the army was going to be working on the logistics of the roll out, he looked like a man who knew how to get stuff done.

So true!

Great news all round on the vaccines. The summer might not be too bad after all

So you’d have to compare decrease in numbers (deaths / hospitalisation)

Very difficult, as hospitalisation rates will reflect a country's economy rather than need.

Death rates are also measured differently (if at all) and will depend on reporting as well.

Then you need to factor in average age/ethnicity/other variables in population in order to actually make a comparison.

Which is why comparisons are generally not made in this fashion.

Having delivered 20 million jabs is impressive. Some people can’t seem to bring themselves to say that or acknowledge it.

The small Israeli population meant they could cover everyone with 2 does in less time. Our decision was based in a much bigger population who would have been left unprotected if we had gone for 2 does 3 weeks apart.

The 2 are not directly comparable, but surely we can agree that things are going very well on this. Sadly lots of people on various threads calling it a shit show and a disaster because they haven’t personally been called yet and know someone younger who has, but the big picture stuff is seriously impressive. And it is the big picture stuff that will reduce transmission and save lives in a. Country of our size, which is why the approach chosen has been used.

Just been for mine. It was really well organised