Nine areas of the UK will ‘vaccinate people over 50 by 7 March’

Nine areas across the UK will have given the first dose of Covid injection to everyone over 50 of them by March 7 – almost a month ahead of schedule, according to new figures.

Vaccine distribution in the west of England appears to be leading the way, with Gloucestershire, Bristol, Devon, North Somerset and Cornwall all on course to deliver their first injection into over 50s by the end of the first week in March.

Suffolk, Staffordshire, Leicestershire and West Yorkshire are expected to meet the same target.

Earlier today Matt Hancock said that everyone over 50 could be vaccinated by April – with the expectation that all adults will receive their first injection by the end of July.

An analysis from the Telegraph has identified the trusts that are going to cancel doses by early March.

Cambridgeshire, West Birmingham, Derbyshire and Essex are expected to complete their first round of doses for people over 50 by March 21, and the East London healthcare partnership may reach the target before the first week of April.

Mr Hancock today confirmed that the first dose will be offered to everyone over the age of 50 by April 15, rather than before May, as previously suggested.

The previous Government said it hoped to reach everyone aged 18 and over before the autumn, but Boris Johnson aims to significantly accelerate the successful campaign.

The Health Secretary has also confirmed that one in three adults in England has now been vaccinated.

But asking about the speed of the lock, he told Sky’s Ridge on Sunday: ‘It’s okay to be careful, it’s very important. Nearly 20,000 people remain in the hospital with Covid at present. Almost 20,000.

The vaccination program, while clearly going well, will take time to reach all vulnerable people, especially as we need to have a second injection given. everyone.

‘So we have some time that needs to be taken to get this right, the PM will outline the roadmap tomorrow and explain the full details, including that we need to a careful but irreversible approach is the goal. ‘

MailOnline has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for comment.

Tomorrow Mr Johnson will unveil Britain’s roadmap while also outlining the pace of the vaccination scheme.

NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens said today: ‘The NHS COVID vaccination campaign is in full swing – letters inviting everyone aged 65 to 69 were issued a week ago, and already more than two-thirds of them have received their first COVID vaccine.

‘Across England as a whole nearly a third of adults have had their first injection, and early indications are that this is contributing to the welcome drop in coronavirus hospital we are seeing now. ‘

The Prime Minister will be touting news of the turbo-accused vaccine program with a ‘cautious and gradual’ path out of lockdown.

All pupils will return to school on March 8 – a plan backed by Labor leader Keir Starmer this morning – and every care home resident in England will receive one regular visitor.

Before Easter, at the beginning of April, two homes will be allowed to meet outside. This will be followed shortly afterwards by the reopening of non-essential shops and pubs and restaurants for outdoor service only.

The hospitality industry is expected to fully open in May.

However, Conservative whip vice-president Mark Harper, who heads Covid’s Recovery Group, said this morning he was called for the lifting of all restrictions by the end of April, once the most vulnerable groups have been vaccinated under the new timetable.