Health Secretary Matt Hancock said seven in 10 adults now have protective Covid-19 antibodies.
Speaking at the Downing Street press briefing on Wednesday, he said the presence of antibodies was a “measure of the protection that we have collectively built up right across the country”.
He referred to data released by the Office for National Statistics, which visited more than 20,000 people to measure antibodies in their blood.
He said: “In the older age groups, those who got vaccinated first are much more likely to have Covid-19 antibodies.
“Now seven in 10 adults have protective Covid-19 antibodies, this is the vaccination programme in action.”
Matt Hancock said the worsening coronavirus situation in India emphasised the pandemic was not yet over.
“Everyone across this whole United Kingdom stands side-by-side with the people of India in these troubled times, because in this battle against coronavirus we are all on the same side – this fight is a global fight,” the Health Secretary told a Downing Street briefing.
“And when other nations face their hour of need, as we’ve faced our hour of need here at home, we’ll be there.
“The situation in India is a stark reminder that this isn’t over yet.
“It shows how important it is that we are vigilant here at home.”
