More than a third of the UK has had first dose of Covid-19 vaccine
More than one third of the UK population has received their first dose of a Covid vaccine.
The Department of Health announced more than 22m people have got their first jab. The succesful rollout of the vaccine means that people aged 50 to 59 will start receiving their first dose of the vaccine today, which includes Boris Johnson among others.
So far, more than one million people have also received their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
The vaccine progress has taken a toll on Covid-19 deaths, which dropped to their lowest total in five months.
The UK’s Covid-19 daily death toll fell to only 65 yesterday, which is down 34 per cent since last Monday and is the lowest since October 12 when 50 people died.
This brings the total deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test to 124,566.
Data from the Department of Health also showed that 4,712 people have tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, up slightly from 3,751 cases last Friday.
The vaccine rollout has increased service sector confidence, which has risen to a 12-month high, according to data compiled by accounting firm BDO.
“The speed of the vaccine rollout across the UK has given businesses a much-needed shot of relief,” said Kaley Crossthwaite, partner at BDO.
“With business lifelines extended in the shape of the prolonged furlough scheme, and an extra dose of support provided to hospitality via extensions in business rates relief and the VAT cut to five per cent, there is reason to believe this optimism can be sustained as we gradually emerge from the depths of lockdown.”
However, OBR committee member Sir Charlie Bean told MPs today that of the £180bn in excess savings Britons have accumulated during Covid-19, only “a relatively small fraction will be leaking into consumer spending”.