Laura Kuenssberg grills Matt Hancock over NHS vaccine letter

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The coronavirus vaccination programme is being rolled out to all those aged 50 and above with more than 25 million Britons having received their first dose so far. The massive milestone happened ahead of a letter issued by NHS England warning of a “significant reduction” in vaccine supplies expected from March 29. In the letter, local vaccination centres are being urged to avoid booking any more appointments in April.

Britain was the first country in the world to launch its vaccination programme.

Margaret Keenan, 91, was the first person to be given the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine outside of trial conditions, 100 days ago.

Since that time, 25,273,226 people have received the first dose of the vaccine, with a further 1,759,445 people have received the second dose of the vaccine.

As the UK confirmed it had surpassed 25m people having received their first dose, all those aged 50 and above were invited to book their vaccinations.

Speaking from Downing Street, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I’ve got some fantastic news to bring you today on the success of the vaccination rollout and the protection that it’s bringing right across the United Kingdom right now.

“Yesterday, we delivered 529,119 vaccinations. More than half a million.

“And that means that today, exactly 100 days since Margaret Keenan got the first authorised jab in the whole world, we have now vaccinated over 25 million people across the United Kingdom.

“It’s been such a national mission. One of the biggest logistical exercises since the war.

“And I’ve had the honour of playing my part, we’ve had the honour of playing our parts – it’s been a huge team effort.”

In the past week, several countries across Europe have temporarily suspended the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Nations where the vaccine’s use has been suspended include Norway, Austria, Germany and Ireland.

The suspensions have been implemented after Austria reported a person was diagnosed with blood clots and died 10 days after receiving the vaccine.

Another person was hospitalised with pulmonary embolism after being vaccinated.

Both the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organization have said there is no evidence there is any link between the vaccine and blood clots and have urged countries to continue using it.

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Britain’s medicines regulator the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said it is reviewing the reports but, “given the frequency at which blood clots can occur naturally, the evidence available does not suggest the vaccine is the cause”.

Speaking from the House of Commons, Prime Minister Boris Johnson assured MPs the vaccine is “safe and works extremely well”.

He said: “I could tell from the excitement of the scientists that this was promising and that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine looked as though it would work.

“After exhaustive tests, so it has proved.

“That vaccine is safe and works extremely well, and now, only six months later, it is being made in multiple places from India to the US, as well as Britain, and it is being used around the world.”

Is a rash after a coronavirus vaccine normal?

There are a number of potential side effects after you have received the coronavirus vaccine.

Most side effects will likely be mild, short-lived and do not necessarily impact everyone.

Even if you do experience symptoms after your first dose, you will still be required to undertake the second dose for the vaccine to be effective.

Some people who have received the vaccine have noticed swelling and large rashes appearing.

Signs of an allergic reaction may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath and swelling of the face or tongue.

The common side effects include:

• A painful, heavy feeling and tenderness if your arm
• Tiredness
• Headache
• General aches or mild flu-like symptoms.

Feeling feverish is not uncommon for two to three days, but a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have Covid-19 or another infection.

Some people also experience swelling of the glands.

These symptoms usually last less than a week, but if they worsen or continue you should seek medical advice by calling NHS 111.

If you have ever experienced a serious allergic reaction, you should not have the Covid vaccine.

However, the NHS advises serious allergic reactions are rare.

If you do have a reaction to the vaccine, it usually happens in minutes and staff giving the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

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