ALL adults in the UK are set to be offered a coronavirus vaccine by the end of July.

This is the target being set by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the country’s vaccination programme continues to gather momentum.

The Government is also aiming to vaccinate all adults aged over 50 – as well as those with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk – by April 15.

The order of priority for those under 50 has yet to be outlined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Ministers had set a target to offer vaccines to all adults by September, with an aim to reach all those aged 50 and over in the first nine JCVI priority groups by May.

Downing Street said the JCVI will publish its priority list for the second phase of the vaccine programme in due course.

Despite the positive vaccination update, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has insisted the Government must take a cautious approach to easing lockdown restrictions.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Health Secretary Matt Hancock has insisted the Government must take a cautious approach to easing lockdown (Image: PA/Molly Darlington)Health Secretary Matt Hancock has insisted the Government must take a cautious approach to easing lockdown (Image: PA/Molly Darlington)

He told Sky News: “The vaccination programme, whilst clearly going very well, will take time to be able to reach all people who have significant vulnerability, especially because we need to get the second jab to everybody.

“We’ve got time that needs to be taken to get this right. The Prime Minister will set out the roadmap tomorrow and he will set out the full details – taking into account that we need to take a cautious but irreversible approach, that’s the goal.”

He also said there is evidence the vaccines could reduce transmission by two-thirds, and that the Government believes it had the vaccine supplies to meet the new July target.

The Prime Minister will chair a meeting of senior ministers today, Sunday, to finalise his roadmap before it is signed off by the cabinet on Monday.

He will then unveil the plans to MPs in the House of Commons later that afternoon and is expected to lead a Downing Street press conference that evening.