• Through the Vaccines Delivery Plan, 61,532 doses have been administered in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

• In total, more than five million doses have been administered to over 4.6 million people across the United Kingdom – which claims to be leading the world as we ramp up our vaccination programme

• Another 65 pharmacy sites across England have been announced today (Friday), starting this week and next, to deliver vaccines as Government aims to ensure all parts are the country are well served

Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen has welcomed the Government's Vaccines Delivery Plan – the biggest vaccination programme in British history – that sets ambitious targets as the Government continues to ramp up its vaccine rollout.

Already in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, 61,532 vaccinations have been given, as part of plans to vaccinate the top four priority groups by mid-February.

In the Midlands, 691,549 people have received a vaccine, with 756,433 doses administered in total across the area.

The United Kingdom is leading the way with its vaccination programme.

So far, more than five million vaccinations have been administered to 4.6 million people – the fourth highest per capita, behind only Bahrain, the UAE and Israel. In addition, only two countries have administered more doses than the United Kingdom – China and the USA.

The Government's Vaccines Delivery Plan sets out how it aims to administer two million doses of vaccines by the end of January, as well as offering vaccines to every elderly are home resident by the end of the month.

So far, more than half of those over 80s and care home residents have received a vaccine.

On top of this, the Government is opening up new vaccination sites every day as part of our Vaccine Delivery Plan to ensure everyone is within 10 miles of a vaccination centre.

Mr Bridgen, Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire, has welcomed the news that the Primary Care Network is making good progress with care home vaccination in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) and is positive that the first milestone for completing care home vaccination by January 24 will be achieved across the LLR as a whole.

He said: "The NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in our country's history, has got off to a fantastic start thanks to the hard work of all of those involved.

"It's great to see that so many people in my area have received the vaccine as we lead the world in our fight back against coronavirus.

"I look forward to getting my vaccine over the coming months – and I urge everyone to do the same when they get the call up".

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock said: "Vaccines are the way out of the pandemic and this historic rollout will cover every corner of the country.

"Community pharmacists have been phenomenal and will have a pivotal role to play in the continued expansion of the programme.

"Through the UK vaccine delivery plan, over four million people have already received their jab. From hospitals to pharmacies, sports clubs to places of worship – we're making sure the vaccine is as accessible as possible.

"In the meantime it is vital everyone continues to play their part in this national effort by staying at home to protect the NHS."