The Government has announced that all the people in the top four priority groups in Britain were offered a first dose of one of the approved vaccines by the target date of 15 February.
As things stand, in the next phase of the national rollout (due to be completed by 15 April), the following age groups will be offered a first dose (in order of priority):
- 65-69
- Those aged between 16 and 65 with underling health conditions which put them at higher risk
- 60-64
- 55-59
- 50-54
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable (of any age) should already have been offered a vaccination in the first phase of the roll out. However, a revised risk assessment by NHS digital on 16 February is estimated to have generated around 800,000 additional people under the age of 70 in this highest risk category who will need to be offered a dose in the second phase.
These priorities may be adjusted if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation updates its advice. For example, the Government is under some pressure give greater priority to front line workers such as teachers, police officers and transport workers. Front line health and social care workers were in the top four priority groups and so should have already been offered a first dose.