Thread by @Telegraph

💉Based on current trajectories over 3 million people could miss out on a third Covid dose by the January 31 deadline.

Here’s why the UK risks missing its booster target 🧵👇

telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/12/0…

With the new omicron strain already spreading within the community, the Government has pledged to put the booster campaign "on steroids"

Officials have already lowered the mandatory gap between second and third doses, and said that all adults will be offered a booster by January 31.

Analysis by @Telegraph suggests that the Government will miss this ambition by 3.1 million doses, based on current trajectories

As of December 5, almost 21 million boosters have been delivered across the UK, equating to a third of the population

This means that on average 438,400 boosters will need to be given each day in order to reach 45 million doses by the end of January.

💉But in the last week, only around 383,400 jabs have been delivered each day

🔴In another worrying sign, the number of vaccines delivered last weekend actually fell compared to the previous one.

This has led to concerns that the programme is "stuck in first gear"

Currently, the Government’s strategy remains to vaccinate the most vulnerable first.

So far, 88 per cent of over-65s in England have been given the third dose, while younger adults will be offered the booster throughout December and January

🔎Read more on how some parts of London, Birmingham and Manchester have seen as many as one in five adults refuse the vaccine altogether 👇

telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/12/0…