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.

It's impressive. Thank you to anyone reading this thread who has taken part.

I think the dose spacing was justified given the situation the UK was in as vaccines were just becoming available.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56275342

Germany have now approved AZ for over 65's, they also make reference to moving to a 12 week gap (as per the U.K.) although not clear if that is only for AZ or Pfizer too.

@Sunshinegirl82

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56275342

Germany have now approved AZ for over 65's, they also make reference to moving to a 12 week gap (as per the U.K.) although not clear if that is only for AZ or Pfizer too.

At the end of the article there is a link to the announcement made by the Standing Committee - it only refers to AZ.

@Sunshinegirl82

A friend is involved with the vaccine roll out and they are planning on massively increasing the number of doses administered from next week. If all goes to plan they definitely won't be slowing down, they'll be speeding up.

Yes - the slow down is all about supply. It increases massively from next week.

They need to speed up! Kids go back to school on Monday and parents are sitting ducks - teachers too, of course. It’s too early but we have a system of conscription in education. No choice for us.

It’s impressive. The procurement strategy lead by Kate Bingham was great. British research and higher education shone. The NHS database and network has worked. And the military stepped in to knit the logistics together. Bravo!

What I’ve heard about other people getting called in is impressive. All delivered efficiently and without fuss. EXCEPT I’ve not heard a thing about being vaccinated. I’m starting to feel left out and forgotten about - maybe it isn’t working as well as we think? I am 55 but have heard of many friends, acquaintances and public figures younger than me being vaccinated. Most of them in better health than me. It’s starting to feel like defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.

@Hobbesmanc

I honestly didnt realise how much of the infrastructure of the Vaccination programme was based on unpaid volunteers. That's absolutely amazing. Well done everyone who gives up their time to contribute

I'm a volunteer (never worked at a vaccine centre) and everyone is so keen to get shifts. Must be great to be part of the roll-out.

Just as an aside, this is all possible due to Kate Bingham getting strong procurement in place - and she too doesn't get paid for her role.

They should put her in the House of Lords @ajandjjmum

@Flippyferloppy

Depends how you count. In my opinion you need to look at percentage of a country's population that have had the second vaccine. If you look at that, the UK is not doing so well at all

but those people vaccinated once are safer.

You're right that it depends how you count and certainly our results seem to be making some people unhappy so it's understandable that they'd want to reframe them.

@Flippyferloppy

Depends how you count. In my opinion you need to look at percentage of a country's population that have had the second vaccine. If you look at that, the UK is not doing so well at all

You need to review your opinion given what the data is telling us about one dose.