The first ever COVID-19 vaccine administered in the UK was given out this time last year. Since it first became available, it has been considered to be the most effective form of ammunition to protect us against the coronavirus pandemic. But, how many people are left in the UK without having had any of the vaccines at all?
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How many Brits are left unvaccinated?
As it stands currently, 51 million first doses, 46 million second doses and 20 million boosters of the coronavirus vaccines have been administered throughout all four kingdoms. However, despite the success of the vaccine rollout program, there are still 6.4 million Brits who remain unvaccinated. That averages out to about 1 in 10 eligible people in the UK.
Where in the UK are people less vaccinated?
The statistics, compiled by several of the UK's health agencies, show that of the 57.6 million people eligible for the vaccine in the UK today, 51.1 million have received one jab (89%). Further, out of all the four UK nations, Northern Ireland has the highest proportion of eligible people who remain unvaccinated (14%), followed by England (11%), Wales (10%) and Scotland (9%). The UK's Health Security Agency (HSA) explains that:
Even with a highly effective vaccine, it is expected a large proportion of cases, hospitalisations and deaths will occur in vaccinated individuals, simply because a larger proportion of the population are vaccinated than unvaccinated and no vaccine is 100% effective.
And added:
This is especially true because vaccination has been prioritised in individuals who are more susceptible or more at risk of severe disease.
Even though the Omicron variant is currently ravaging various parts of the world, the vaccine has been proven to have effectively prevented many people from falling seriously ill. It has also prevented millions of lives from being lost throughout the globe.
As a result, health ministers have been urging all those who remain unvaccinated to get jabbed in an effort to halt the spread of the virus.