COVID-19: Number of booster jabs administered in UK reaches 10 million

Ten million COVID-19 booster jabs have now been administered in the UK, latest figures show.

The milestone - hailed by the prime minister - was reached after 409,663 third shots were given out on Saturday, taking the total to 10,062,704.

Another 35,045 first doses and 23,952 second doses were also administered, meaning 50,234,416 people have had at least one jab and 45,836,791 have had two.

The third shots are currently available to those aged over 50 and those deemed most at risk from coronavirus.

The rollout began in September, and people in England have had to wait until six months after their second dose before they have been eligible to book.

But from Monday, they can make their appointment after five months, although they will still only be able to actually receive the booster after six months.

For most, the booster is designed to top up the immunity they received from two doses earlier in the year. For immunocompromised people, it's classed as a third dose as they didn't get enough protection from two jabs in the first place.

(CGTN)