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The number of vaccinations given in London has fallen to a new low, despite Boris Johnson pausing the end of the lockdown to increase the vaccination rate.
A total of 42,518 doses were administered on Sunday, the lowest value since the Prime Minister’s decision a fortnight ago to postpone so-called “Freedom Day” from June 21 to July 19.
Sunday’s numbers were also the lowest number of vaccinations given in the capital that month, according to NHS Englanddata.
Second vaccinations were reportedly given at these locations to people who had only had their first vaccination three weeks earlier in order to use up the vaccines. Islington City Council had to cancel walk-in appointments at the Arsenal on Monday night due to the number of lines.
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London must give 2,876,112 more first and second injections to meet the government’s nationwide target of offering a first dose to all over 18s and two-thirds of adults by July 19.
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Sadiq Khan’s London Health Committee is meeting today to discuss the launch, with concerns likely to focus on how the vaccine can be delivered to the rest of Londoners who have yet to be stung, now that the so-called “low hanging.” The vaccine enthusiast’s fruit was harvested.
Mr Khan is also keen to speed up the second jab rate to maximize protection from the Delta variant of Covid so that theaters, pubs and clubs can fully – and safely – reopen on July 19th.
According to NHS England data, daily vaccinations in the capital peaked on June 5th at 79,165 that month. Since Mr Johnson’s decision on June 14th to postpone the end of the lockdown to give people more time to vaccinate, the largest number of jabs has been the 75,137 on Super Saturday, June 19th Football clubs such as Chelsea, West Ham and Charlton allowed the use of their stadiums.
London’s vaccine battles contrast with higher take-up in the rest of the country. Sajid Javid, the new health minister, told the House of Commons last night that “vaccine intake remains sky high”, with more than half of UK adults under 30 being vaccinated, including his three children.
According to the NHS London, half of 18-29 year olds in London have already received at least one dose and “tens of thousands” have booked an appointment.
Dr. Vin Diwakar, Medical Director of the NHS in London, said: “Getting vaccinated now is just as important as it was the first day the vaccine was offered, and it has never been easier to go in and get the vaccine are traveling in London.
“We urge everyone who has not yet received their first dose to find the most suitable vaccination site for them, because the more people receive the life-saving vaccination, the safer it is for everyone.”
