Covid vaccine: Wales becomes first UK nation to vaccinate half its population - how rest of country compares

Wales has become the first of the UK’s four nation’s to give a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to half of its population.

A total of 1.59 million people had received their first vaccine by 11 April, the latest figures from Public Health Wales show, which accounts for 50.4 per cent of the population.

How does the rest of the UK compare?

Scotland is not far behind Wales in its vaccination rollout with up to 48.8 per cent of people having now been given their first dose.

England follows with a total of 48.2 per cent, with Northern Ireland just a short way behind at 43.6 per cent.

The milestone of vaccinating more than 50 per cent of the population in Wales comes following the rollout of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

Wales is the first nation of the UK to administer this jab, with the first batch being given last week.

Scotland has now also started administering the Moderna vaccine, alongside Pfizer and AstraZeneca, while England is due to follow later this month.

The availability of the Moderna jab, which is the third coronavirus vaccine to be approved in the UK, means the nations can now step up the number of first doses offered to the public.

This also means that stocks of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines can mostly be used for second doses.

What about second doses?

In terms of second doses, Wales is also leading on this as well having fully vaccinated the equivalent of 16.8 per cent, or one in six, of its total population.

England is a fair way behind on 11.3 per cent, followed by Scotland on 10.8 per cent and Northern Ireland on 10.5 per cent.

Nearly two-thirds of the adult population of Wales - 62.9 per cent - have received their first dose of vaccine while a fifth - 20.9 per cent - have had both.

How to book an appointment

When it is your turn to book your Covid-19 vaccination, visit nhs.uk.

When you book, you will be asked for information including:

- your name and date of birth

- your NHS number – this is a 10 digit number you can find on any letter the NHS has sent you, for example, 485 777 3546

If you do not know your NHS number you can still book your appointment.

You should only book an appointment once you have been contacted by the NHS. You should not contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.

You need two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine to get the best protection from the virus.

Your second dose will be given around 11 to 12 weeks after your first. When you book your first appointment, you will also need to book your second appointment at the same time.