More than 20 million Britons have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the UK government has said.
In a video uploaded to his Twitter profile, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, said it was a “magnificent achievement for the country”.
He added: “I’m absolutely delighted that over 20 million people have now been vaccinated across the UK – it’s absolutely fantastic.
“I want to thank every single person who’s come forward to get the jab because we know with increasing confidence that the jab protects you, it protects your community and it also is the route out of this for all of us.”
The vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, tweeted: “Bingo! One score over 20,000,000 people have had the vaccination (1st dose). What an achievement for February 2021. What a team! Proud to be with you on this journey.”
Government data shows that of the 20.5m jabs given in the UK up to 27 February, only 768,810 (approximately 4%) represented second doses.
It comes as nearly 2 million people aged 60 to 63 in England are being invited to book a coronavirus jab, with their letters due to start arriving on Monday. NHS England said the letters would explain how people could make an appointment through the national booking service.
The letters have been sent out after more than three in four people aged 65 to 70 took up the offer of a vaccination, it added.
A further 149 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 83,123, NHS England said on Sunday.
Patients were aged between 23 and 103 and all except six, aged between 34 and 89, had known underlying health conditions. The deaths took place between 8 January and 27 February.