Commenting on the milestone, NHS England’s lead for the NHS vaccination programme, Dr Emily Lawson, said: “Hitting 60 million vaccinations is an incredible achievement for the NHS COVID vaccination programme, thanks to the non-stop efforts of NHS staff and volunteers, whose actions to protect their patients and communities have quite simply saved thousands of lives.

“The biggest vaccination drive in history, fastest in Europe and most precise in the world has entered the home straight, as we last week opened up bookings to people aged 25 to 29, and it was fantastic to see the offer was received with record-breaking levels of enthusiasm.

“The COVID-19 vaccine remains our best defence against coronavirus so when you get invited book your lifesaving jab and also, crucially, your second dose to maximise protection.”