The UK set a new record for second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine over the weekend of the 10th/11th April.
On Saturday 10th April, more than 475,000 second doses were provided. Saturday marked the fourth consecutive day of delivering over 400,000 second vaccine doses per day. More than 111,000 first doses were also administered on the 10th April as the vaccine rollout continues at speed.

The record-breaking figures have contributed to the UK reaching another milestone, with more than 7 million people now fully vaccinated. The government remains on track to offer everyone in the top 9 priority groups a vaccine by the 15th April and all adults a jab by the end of July. The next stage will be to invite over 40s, but there is expected to be an emphasis on second doses during April with supplies limited.

The UK has provided most patients within the priority groups with the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, but a third jab has now been added to the arsenal. Moderna vaccines have already been administered in Wales and patients in the rest of the UK are set to be invited for this injection in the coming days. It is hoped that the third vaccine will bolster supplies while shipments of the AstraZeneca vaccine are restricted.

The vaccine rollout is starting to make significant dents in the progress of the virus, with data suggesting that vaccines are now breaking the link between case numbers and deaths. The latest figures suggest that the daily death toll is now similar to figures recorded in mid-September and new cases have fallen below 2,000 per day. There is a degree of trepidation as measures ease and nations move forward with the next step of the roadmap, but there is also optimism. Daily case numbers have been falling steadily, the number of people in hospital has fallen to around 3,000 and the number of deaths from Covid-19 is the lowest since the beginning of autumn.

As shops, gyms, hair salons, pubs and restaurants serving outdoors and outdoor attractions like zoos opened their doors to the public on Monday 12th April, the Prime Minister encouraged people to enjoy the new freedoms, but urged caution, reminding the nation to be respectful of the rules.