More than three-quarters of UK adults double-jabbed against Covid

More than 39,688,000 people have received both doses of coronavirus vaccine

More than three-quarters of adults in the UK have now received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said.

A total of 86,780,455 doses have been administered in the UK, with 47,091,889 people receiving a first dose (89 per cent) and 39,688,566 people receiving both doses (75 per cent), according to DHSC statistics.

Boris Johnson, the prime minister, said: “Our incredible vaccine rollout has now provided vital protection against the virus to three-quarters of all UK adults.

“This is a huge national achievement, which we should all be proud of.

“It’s so important that those who haven’t been vaccinated come forward as soon as possible to book their jab – to protect themselves, protect their loved ones and allow us all to enjoy our freedoms safely.”

Sajid Javid, the health secretary, added: “Three in four adults across the UK have now had both doses of the vaccine, which is incredible and a testament to the fantastic work of the NHS, volunteers and everyone involved in the rollout.”

Mr Javid has confirmed preparations are under way to offer Covid booster jabs in the UK from next month, but a leading vaccine expert has suggested they are not needed.

The health secretary said the government is awaiting advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) but indicated the plan is likely to be for over-50s to be offered a booster Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as a flu jab.

He said those who got their jabs when the vaccine rollout began in December last year will be prioritised.

However, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, who played a key role in developing the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, said any waning of protection provided by the vaccines would be "gradual" and would be picked up on quickly through UK surveillance systems, adding that "there isn't any reason at this moment to panic".

Asked about the potential autumn booster campaign, ahead of Mr Javid's comments, Sir Andrew told the All Party Parliamentary Group on coronavirus: "The decision to boost or not should be scientifically driven."

He said data suggested the vaccines were holding out against the virus which causes Covid-19 and were protecting the double-jabbed from severe disease and death.

He said it was not the case that we "get to the end of September and suddenly find that the pandemic starts again", and added that if there is a "fall-off in protection" it would happen gradually and "at a point where we can pick it up and be able to respond".

Sir Andrew added that rolling out booster doses while other parts of the world still have none would send the wrong message.

Additional reporting by Press Association