“They include one in four adults <\/span>in England, over 90 percent of everyone over 75 and over 90 percent of eligible residents of care homes for the elderly.<\/span><\/p>\n “But that still leaves nearly two million people, a population roughly twice the size of Birmingham, that we still hope to reach. Now is the moment to do it.”<\/span><\/p>\n He added: “Let me appeal particularly to the fantastic social care workers we all rely on to look after our relatives, our parents, our grandparents. If you haven’t received a letter, please contact your employer and fix it up.”<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Johnson made his appeal so the country can end the lockdown curbs.<\/span><\/p>\n He said: “The reason I make this appeal for people to come forward in those groups is not to hit some numerical target but to save lives, prevent serious illness and so the whole country can take another step on the long and hard road back to normality.”<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Johnson said the data showing a reduction in Covid-19 cases were not necessarily “attributable” to the vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n He also welcomed the World Health Organisation’s support for the UK’s strategy of delivering the Oxford\/AstraZeneca immunisation in two shots 12 weeks apart. He added: “Indeed they say the longer interval provides greater protection.”<\/span><\/p>\n Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said Covid case numbers were showing a “good decrease” but warned: “Numbers remain high.”<\/span><\/p>\n He added: “This peak we have had in January is now coming down to much lower numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n “Things are definitely heading in the right direction and that is trending in hospital admissions, which are coming down.”<\/span><\/p>\n Sir Patrick urged everyone to come forward for a dose even if they have had Covid and recovered.<\/p>\n He said: “If you’ve had coronavirus, we know that most people get antibodies and get some protection from it. It’s really important to get the vaccine as well.<\/span><\/p>\n “The vaccine will give another boost on top of that. It’s highly likely you’ll get a very good immune response overall in that situation and so it’s not a reason to avoid vaccination. I’d encourage everybody to come forward for a vaccination.”<\/span><\/p>\n Sir Patrick also warned that lockdown measures needed to be lifted with caution.<\/span><\/p>\n He said: “There will be a significant number of people in high-risk groups who haven’t yet been vaccinated.<\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/Boris-Johnson-1396407.jpg?r=1613035757842\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Sir-Patrick-Vallance-2899616.jpg?r=1613035762998\")
<\/p>\n