As many as 27 people were being administered Covid-19 vaccine doses each second over the weekend, as the NHS’ national vaccine rollout programme continues to deliver jabs at remarkable pace.
On Saturday March 20, 2021 - the same day as the 27 people per second figure was recorded - a record high 756,873 vaccine jabs were recorded across England.
This included more than 685,000 first doses, capping off a bumper week for vaccine administration across the UK.
In total, nearly one million more jabs were administered over a seven-day period, compared with the previous week.
NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “The speed and precision of the NHS vaccination campaign has been on full display this weekend, and yesterday NHS staff across England administered a remarkable 27 jabs a second.
“In just one day we vaccinated the equivalent of the entire adult populations of Liverpool, Southampton and Oxford combined.
“When my turn came earlier this week, I was delighted to get my first dose, and we have a strong supply of vaccine for the coming week too, so if you are aged 50 plus, don’t delay!
“Now is a great time to book your NHS Covid jab – it’s quick and efficient, safe and effective, and painless.”
Dr Emily Lawson, NHS England’s Chief Commercial Officer and Senior Responsible Officer for Vaccine Rollout, added: “It is remarkable that because of the sustained hard work of NHS staff and all those involved in delivering jabs up and down the country, the vaccination programme has once again topped its own success with its busiest week to date.
“I could not be more proud of all those involved who have helped us to achieve this latest milestone.
“This week we moved on to offering vaccines to those aged 50 and above and we are making great progress so we urge anyone in this group to make use of the huge range of sites you can book in to across the country and get your jab.”
