Official figures released today show that more than 10million life-saving COVID-19 vaccines have now been delivered across the East and West Midlands, as the rollout of the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS continues.

Over six million people in the Midlands have received a first dose of the vaccine, while more than 3.9million are now fully vaccinated after having also received a vital second vaccine dose.

More than 4.4million vaccines have been delivered in the East Midlands, with more than 5.3million vaccines having been delivered in the West Midlands.

The Midlands became the first region in the country to surpass the 10million vaccines milestone in the same week that the NHS offered the vaccine to everyone over 30 across the country.

“I would like to thank each and every person who has played their part in making this happen.”

Alison Tonge, the NHS England and NHS Improvement director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said: “Delivering 10million vaccines is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the dedication and determination of our hardworking NHS staff, volunteers, partners and all those who have taken up their offer of a vaccine.

“I would like to thank each and every person who has played their part in making this happen, as we are so incredibly grateful that so many people have come forward to show that the vaccine is safe, effective and is our single best way of protecting ourselves and those closest to us from coronavirus.

“We know that everyone will have their own reasons for joining the millions who have already received the vaccine, which is why we’re looking to mark this incredible moment by encouraging everyone to share what the vaccine means to them to help give others the confidence to come forward to receive theirs.

“The vaccine is now available to everyone aged 30 and over across the Midlands and I would encourage everyone who is eligible to receive it to come forward, either by booking online or by calling 119 when it is their turn to receive the vaccine.”

The story of Midlands’ vaccination programme

At 6.31am on 8 December 2020, Margaret Keenan, who is now 91, became the first person in the world to receive a COVID-19 jab outside of a clinical trial in the Midlands at Coventry’s University Hospital.

NHS staff, volunteers, partner organisations and community leaders have all been working tirelessly since then to ensure that everyone who is eligible can take-up their offer of a vaccine, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Their work has seen the vaccination programme rolled-out at pace across the East and West Midlands in GP surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals and larger vaccination centres.

A host of more unusual partnerships have also helped to accelerate the Midlands’ vaccination programme, with football stadiums, arenas, racecourses, museums, cricket grounds, arts centres and hotels among the more unusual locations that have been adapted to help boost vaccination efforts.

Elsewhere, the vaccine has been taken out into communities using mobile vaccination buses, through pop-up services and into workplaces to help make it as convenient as possible for everyone to take-up their offer of a vaccine.

Tell your NHS: What does the vaccine mean to you?

NHS England and NHS Improvement is encouraging everyone in the Midlands to share what the vaccine means to them by sharing pictures or videos on social media using the hashtag #whatitmeanstome

Each and every submission will be considered to form part of a virtual celebration of the Midlands’ vaccination programme, which NHS organisations across the East and West Midlands plan to unveil in unison on the 73rd birthday of the NHS on Monday 5 July.

How to book your vaccination

When invited, people are able to book at one of the vaccination centre, pharmacy or general practice sites across the Midlands that are available through the national booking service.

People who cannot go online can call the service on 119 instead to book their jab.