Record number of COVID vaccine doses given in UK

London – The number of daily COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the UK has hit a record high for a third consecutive day.

A combined total of 844 285 first or second doses were given on Saturday, up from 711 157 on Friday.

On Twitter, Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked “everyone involved”.

More than 27.6 million people in the UK – more than half the adult population – have now received at least one dose of a vaccine.

Johnson, who received his first dose on Friday, said: “A huge thank you to everyone involved and please come forward to get your jab when you are invited to do so.”

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, added: “In just one day we vaccinated the equivalent of the entire adult populations of Liverpool, Southampton and Oxford combined.”

A slightly higher daily total of 873 784 was initially reported by the PM and Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who added later the figures from Scotland had “been revised down slightly” but it was “still our record day”.

Of the vaccinations administered on Saturday, 752 308 were first doses and 91 977 were second, meaning 2 228 772 people in the UK have now been fully vaccinated.

A further 33 deaths within 28 days of a positive test have also been recorded, taking the UK’s total by that measure to 126 155.

There have also been another 5 312 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. (BBC)