British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised that all adults in the country will receive a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of July.
Or an acceleration in the schedule.
Until then, the government had set itself the goal of vaccinating the adult population by September.
The UK was one of the first Western countries to launch a mass vaccination campaign in December and the first step has just been taken.
A first dose of vaccine was injected to 15 million people, including those over 70 years old and caregivers.
Since then, more than 2.2 million more people have received a first dose of the vaccine, according to the latest figures released on Saturday.
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The goal now is for the entire UK adult population to receive a first injection by the end of July, including all over 50s by mid-April, Downing Street said in a statement.
“Reaching 15 million vaccinations has been an important milestone - but there will be no slackening, and I want to see the deployment go further and faster in the weeks to come,” Boris Johnson said in the statement.
The terraces could reopen in April
The UK is one of the countries in Europe hardest hit by the pandemic, with more than 120,000 people dying within 28 days of being tested positive.
The confinement imposed in early January, however, seems to have taken effect with a drop in the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in recent weeks.
Despite this progress, Boris Johnson repeated that the way out of confinement will be "careful and gradual".
The conservative leader is due to announce to Parliament on Monday afternoon his deconfinement roadmap, the priority being the reopening of schools, which could begin gradually from March 8.
Bars and restaurants could reopen from April but only outdoors.
It will be necessary to wait until May, even August, for the establishments to welcome new customers inside.
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On Sunday, Health Minister Matt Hancock defended the government's cautious approach on Sky News, stressing that there were still “nearly 20,000” Covid-19 patients hospitalized.
He added that the government was studying the value of vaccinating children to reduce the transmission of Covid-19.
"Clinical trials were underway to find out whether children should be vaccinated," he said.
Another sign of confidence for the summer: according to the Sunday Times, the government intends to offer to host all the football matches of the Euro, supposed for the moment to take place in 12 European cities.