Britain has hit a major milestone in its vaccine rollout as the number of doses of coronavirus jabs administered in England passes 50million.
The achievement was announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Saturday as the combined number of first and second jabs given mounted.
Friday's totals showed more than 37million people in the UK had received at least one dose and more than 21million had received two.
It comes as younger adults nationwide are told it's their turn for the jab, with the NHS confirming 32-year-olds are now able to get vaccine appointments.
More than 70% of the UK's adult population has now received at least one dose of a Covid jab and 40% had received two, officials said earlier this week.
The UK is in a race to vaccinate the entire adult population by the end of July.
The fourth and final round of unlocking is slated for June 21, when most restrictions are set to finally lift.
Mr Hancock tweeted: "Today over 50 million Covid-19 vaccines have been delivered in England. One of the biggest & most important national efforts in our history.
"Thank you to the whole team who have made this happen."
NHS England’s Lead for the NHS Covid Vaccination Programme, Dr Emily Lawson, said: “This success is the result of the tireless efforts of NHS teams, alongside local partners and volunteers, who are determined to protect their patients, families and communities.
"Despite this we must take nothing for granted so when you are invited please book your appointment – and along with millions of others get vital protection against coronavirus.”
Boris Johnson promised every adult in the UK would get a jab by the end of July.
Health officials are in a race to speed ahead with the rollout as efforts to keep the worrying new Indian variant at bay ramp up.
Scientists have said the variant does not appear to cause more severe infection than other mutant strains, and it is also not thought to be more infectious at this stage.
Data from a study of vaccinated Indian healthcare workers earlier this week showed also that the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab is 97% effective against the variant.
However officials warned it is overcoming the Kent variant to become the dominant strain in the UK, prompting surge testing in affected areas in an attempt to stamp out outbreaks.
Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen and Bedford have been recording infection spikes in recent days, prompting authorities to extend the jab rollout to over-18s in some parts of England.
Mr Hancock also announced a new trial of 'booster' shots it is hoped could boost protection from another wave of the virus in the autumn.
The PM has been urging "caution" as the government hinted the emergence of the new variant could delay plans to lift lockdown restrictions June 21.
Mr Johnson came under fire this week over border controls as critics claimed his government was too slow to act on adding India to the UK's travel 'red list.'
