LUDLOW MP and former health minister Philip Dunne has welcomed the UK reaching a significant milestone in the national vaccination programme, administering a total of 15 million jabs into the arms of the most vulnerable across the UK.

Following ‘remarkable’ progress in vaccinating the four most vulnerable groups during the 10 weeks since the earliest days when the first vaccine was approved, the Prime Minister has set out a roadmap detailing how the government will cautiously begin to start lifting restrictions.

If you are over 70, or extremely clinically vulnerable or with another medical condition which impacts your immunity, you no longer need to wait to be contacted by the NHS - you can book your vaccine now, either online at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination or by phoning 119.

In Shropshire, the vaccine programme is now offering vaccinations to those in priority group five, those aged 65-69 or clinically vulnerable people.

“Please do not call your GP practice to request an appointment if you are in this group, as it is being done centrally,” said Mr Dunne.

“It is brilliant news that the UK has now administered the covid19 vaccine to over 15 million people, helping to keep safe those in the most vulnerable groups. I offer my thanks again to everyone involved in the rollout, both here in south Shropshire and across the country.

“There is a tremendous sense of community spirit helping sustain NHS staff and all the volunteers who are helping sustain this mammoth effort. We have achieved as a county and a nation a really important milestone, but there is much more still to do. I wanted to thank those in person for the efforts they are making to keep us safe,” added Mr Dunne, who has had his first vaccine as he has a medical condition that makes him vulnerable. The Government says everyone will be offered a vaccine by the autumn.