The chief executive of NHS England has outlined how and when millions of people in the UK will get their coronavirus vaccines during the roll out.
Sir Simon Stevens told a Downing Street briefing that 15 million vaccinations in 10 weeks would be an enormous undertaking at any time, but during the winter surge of coronavirus, with hospitals under severe pressure it has been "an extraordinary national team effort."
For families and patients across the country, "you can see for yourselves the speed and precision in which the vaccination campaign has been undertaken", he said.
He joined the Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, in thanking the nurses, GPs, pharmacists, the entire staff of the NHS, the volunteers, local authorities, businesses and the armed forces and many others who have rallied round.
"Today is definitely not a mission accomplished. I have described it as two sprints and a marathon. We've just come through the finishing line of the first sprint," Sir Simon explained.
"We've got a second sprint between now and April 30 to extend the number of vaccinations given to the high risk people before moving on to the marathon, which is everybody in the country who is eligible.
"Then the winter flu campaign and booster shots this autumn, because that's what the scientists have said is needed."
He urged the people who are in the groups who have been asked to take the vaccine who have not yet done so, to get in touch.
Vaccine uptake is high at over 90 per cent, Sir Simon said.
"The second thing is making sure people get their second booster doses. That will begin from early to mid-March. We are reserving the vaccines we need for that."
He said the NHS will contact people to set up the second booster shot at the same place where they received the first dose.
The offer of vaccines will be extended the offer to a larger group of people in the next priority group.
"For people aged 65 to 69, you will be getting letters today, tomorrow, this week, inviting you to book in for your vaccination," he added.
If people are not able to get to larger vaccination centres, they can hold on to get vaccinations at their GP surgery.
Sir Simon said he wants the GPs to focus on more than six million people with underlying health conditions that put them more at risk.
Younger adults in care homes and community settings and eligible adult carers will also be contacted.
"In a nutshell, wait for the NHS to get in touch with you. Invites will be on a rolling basis."
In the second sprint, there will be a larger number vaccinated than in the first sprint, as people will be receiving second doses, too, at the same time. "We may be giving twice as many vaccinations overall than we did in the first sprint."
He thanked the public for getting "this right" and the partners for "getting this done."
