NHS Chief Sir Simon Stevens joins 20 million double jabbed

NHS chief Sir Simon Stevens has today joined the more than 20 million people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID after receiving both doses.

Sir Simon, who received his second jab at Guy’s Hospital in London, praised the work and dedication of staff and volunteers in rolling out the NHS COVID vaccination programme.

The NHS chief executive also urged people to get their second dose when the time comes to ensure they get maximum protection from the virus.

The NHS COVID vaccination programme is going form strength to strength with a record more than half a million people receiving their second jab on Saturday.

It comes after a bumper week for second jabs, with almost 2.4 million people getting their follow up dose in the last seven days.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “Today, I joined the 20 million other people across England who have had their second coronavirus jab.

“This is where I previously I came on the very first day when COVID vaccines were administered across the NHS, and it’s amazing to think over 300,000 people have now had their covid vaccinations right here.

“When you get your invitation, to come forward for your first jab if you’re in your thirties or you’re one of the millions of people now eligible for your second, the message is very clear: don’t delay, take up the offer now.”

The NHS has accelerated the number of second doses it is delivering and completed a seven-day record high of 2,440,037 between 23 and 29 April.

On the advice of the government and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), people aged 50 and over and the clinically vulnerable are having their second doses brought forward, where possible, to counter the spread of the variant B1.617.2 originating in India. Nobody needs to contact the NHS and people will be told to rebook if they need to.

The NHS is urging everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of a jab at one of the 1,600 convenient locations across the country.

By following a link and easy booking steps, people can book both jabs at the same time and can choose from a list of NHS Vaccination Centres or pharmacy-led vaccination services as well as some GP-led sites.

The NHS made history when Maggie Keenan became the first person in the world to be protected against coronavirus outside of a clinical trial when she received the Pfizer vaccine at Coventry Hospital on 8 December.