Our vaccination programme has so far been an extraordinary success – with over 27.6 million people across the UK now having received their first dose, helping to cut infection rates and reduce the spread of the virus.

We have administered over 29 million vaccines across the UK. We are averaging almost 2.7 million doses a week, with over half of the adult population across the country have now received their first dose – following three record-breaking days, with:

• 711,156 vaccines administered on Friday
• 814,285 vaccines administered on Saturday
• 844,285 vaccines administered on Sunday

Following three consecutive record-breaking days, we have now vaccinated over half of all adults across the UK, marking one of the most significant milestones in our fight against the virus - a testament to the mammoth efforts of the NHS, GPs, volunteers, local authorities and civil servants in every corner of the UK.

This phenomenal achievement shows what we can accomplish together as one United Kingdom – but the job is far from done. Next month we will continue to vaccinate those most at risk and give around 12 million people their second dose, while we remain on course to meet our ambition to offer every adult a vaccine by the end of July.

Over the week, many Castle Point residents received their jabs at the Benfleet Clinic, the Paddocks on Canvey and the Runnymede Mass Vaccine Centre.  Right now people can book their coronavirus vaccination if they:

• are aged 50 or over
• are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
• have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• have a learning disability
• are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus

The easiest way is to do this is through the NHS National Booking Service, or if you can’t get online then you can ring the Essex Helpline on 0344 2573 961 (open 9am-4pm, local rate). If you are at moderate risk from coronavirus (clinically vulnerable) the NHS will contact you to arrange your vaccination appointments.

As the Prime Minister said last week, we will continue to work with our European friends - and expect them to stand by their commitment not to place restrictions on vaccine exports. The Government expect the EU to stand by the commitment President Von der Leyen made to the Prime Minister earlier this year when she said the EU would not block exports of the vaccine if companies are fulfilling contracts.

The recovery from COVID-19 relies on international collaboration. We are all dependent on global supply chains and putting in place restrictions endangers the global efforts to fight the virus. While the Government remains confident in our supply chains, we hope our European friends will stand by their word by not imposing restrictions on the export of vaccines which will help the whole world defeat this terrible virus.

The vaccination programme is one of the largest of its kind in our nation’s history, and its continued success is a testament to the fantastic efforts of everyone involved in every corner of the UK.  Vaccines provide us the safest path out of this pandemic, and the best way we can reclaim the things we love, reunite with our family and friends, and return to our normal way of life is to get the jab when it is our turn.