Out of the country’s 66,650,000 people, 33,388,637 have received the jab, according to Department of Health figures released today,

A total of 11,623,671 have received their second shot, equating to 17.4% of the entire population.

The total number of vaccinations given in the UK now stands at 45,012,308.

Only people aged 16 and over are currently able to get the jab, meaning the proportion of the eligible population to be immunised is even higher.

Today’s update from the Government revealed another 40 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus, falling by more than a third in a fortnight.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows weekly infections in England dropped by a fifth last week to 90,000, despite the reopening of pubs and restaurants.

Cases and deaths continue to drop as more and more people are vaccinated

Uptake has been so high that Brits should be able to enjoy a relatively normal summer, scientists have claimed

The next round of lockdown easing is set for May 17, clearing the way for indoor hospitality, overnight stays at friends’ homes, and a number of other measures.

Step four of the Government’s road map for England currently states that all legal limits on social contact will be removed by June 21 at the earliest, when restrictions on large events such as festivals are also expected to ease.

Scientists advising the Government say there is nothing currently in the data to suggest that people will not be able to enjoy a relatively normal summer, though coronavirus cases may well rise as the autumn approaches.

When asked about mask-wearing in the coming months, one source said that vaccines are working so well, and there is such good uptake among the public, that things will return to much more like normal life over the summer months, with cases dropping very low in May.

However, masks and possibly other measures may be needed next autumn and winter if cases surge, they said.