Boris Johnson hails Sussex pharmacist for Covid vaccination work

Hardik Desai's work in organising the vaccination of thousands of people in Ticehurst was heralded by the Prime Minister as part of the "astonishing efforts" which have seen more than 15 million people across the UK receive the jab.

He rallied volunteers to vaccinate 3,000 people at the local village hall while still keeping his pharmacy open.

Mr Johnson's comments came as he updated the nation on the ongoing vaccination programme.

The vaccines have been rescheduled for later this month

He said the country had "continued to power past the target we set six weeks ago with more than 15 million people vaccinated across the UK".

"Once again, I pay tribute to the astonishing efforts of everybody involved," he said.

"The GPs, the nurses, the volunteers, the army and the pharmacists like Hardik Desai who rallied local volunteers to vaccinate 3,000 people in his village hall in Ticehurst in Sussex while keeping his pharmacy open.

"And, of course, I thank all of you who have come forward to be vaccinated.

Boris Johnson is leading today's Downing Street press briefing

"This is an unprecedented national achievement, but it's no moment to relax. In fact, it's the moment to accelerate because the threat from this virus remains very real.

"Yes, it's true, we have vaccinated more than 90 per cent of those aged over 70, but don't forget that 60 per cent of hospital patients with Covid are under 70.

"And, although the vaccination programme is going well, we still don't have enough data about the exact effectiveness of the vaccines in reducing the spread of infection."

He said that initial data on this topic had given scientists "grounds for confidence" but more work was needed.

Mr Johnson said: "As I talk to you today, we don't have all the hard facts that we need.

• READ MORE: These are the areas of Sussex with the fewest new coronavirus cases

"The level of infection remains very high. We still have more people still in hospital today than at the peak last April. And admissions across the UK, a very important statistic, are running at 1,600 a day.

"So, we have to keep our foot to the floor."

The Prime Minister said that a further one million letters were delivered yesterday offering vaccination appointments to people aged 65 and above.

People with underlying health conditions aged between 16 and 64 and all adult carers are also set to be contacted.

Mr Johnson said: "If we can keep this pace up and if we can supply steady, and I hope and believe we can, then we hope to offer a vaccination to everyone in the first nine priority groups, including everyone over 50, by the end of April.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured at the Covid vaccination centre at Edgware, north London. Credit: PA

"And, at the same time, we will be giving second doses to millions of the most vulnerable (people) within 12 weeks of the first."

He said the initial success of the vaccination rollout was a "huge step forward" but it "is only a first step".

"We must be both optimistic but also patient," he said.

"Next week I will be setting out a roadmap saying as much as we possibly can about the route to normality, even though some things are very uncertain.

"We want this lockdown to be the last and we want progress to be cautious but also irreversible.

"So please continue to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives."