We have administered a total of 48.1 million vaccine doses across the UK, with over 34 million people across the UK now having received their first dose and 14 million people having received their second dose. Including 95 per cent of those over 50 receiving at least one dose, with one in four adults having received their second dose.

All adults over 50, the clinically vulnerable, and health and social care workers have been offered a life-saving jab – meaning we reached our target for offering a first dose to priority groups 1-9 ahead of schedule.

We are now asking people aged 40 and over and people who'll turn 40 before 1 July 2021 to come forward and get their jab. To book or manage your coronavirus vaccination, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/.

It is the third time this week that the COVID-19 vaccine booking system has been extended, after it was offered to those over 44 on Monday and to over-42s on Tuesday. We remain on track to reach all adults by the end of July - around 53 million people.

Outgoing NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said:

"With nine-tenths of people aged 45 and over having been jabbed, nearly three quarters of a million new appointments were made in just two days as our booking service opened to people aged 42 to 44.

"With second doses also proceeding apace, we're now ready to invite all those aged 40 and over to join the most successful vaccination drive in health service history."

In 2022, we will host a summit with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to raise funds for vaccine research and development from the international community. This summit will support our efforts to cut vaccine development time by two-thirds, to 100 days, which could avert future pandemics and save millions of lives.