Responding to the publication of the COVID-19 vaccine delivery plan, NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery said:

"The government's plan to offer two million vaccinations a week by the end of January, and indeed all adults by the autumn, is an ambitious target in our fight against COVID-19.

"NHS trusts are doing everything they can to play their part in the roll out COVID-19 vaccinations as quickly as possible. They know how important this vaccination campaign is to getting life back to normal.

"Working with partners in primary care, NHS trusts have vaccinated well over a million people in a month. The roll out of additional hospital, local and vaccination sites this week, with a view to increasing this to 2,700 locations, is a hugely positive development.

Trust leaders tell us that the main constraint remains supply of vaccine doses, but trusts remain confident they can quickly deliver all the doses that are made available to them.

Saffron Cordery    Deputy Chief Executive

"Trust leaders tell us that the main constraint remains supply of vaccine doses, but trusts remain confident they can quickly deliver all the doses that are made available to them.

"But the task ahead is huge and we should not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead.

"The pandemic is far from over. In the coming weeks and months, the NHS is likely to experience the most challenging conditions in its 72-year history.

"As the chief medical officer rightly said over the weekend, it is vital that everyone follows lockdown rules. This is no time for complacency. Following the rules will prevent unnecessary deaths, reduce patient harm, and help ensure the NHS can care for all patients, COVID and non-COVID.

"But, with three vaccinations now onstream, the establishment of over 1,000 vaccination sites across the country and a dedicated NHS workforce who are working flat out to administer the vaccine, we can finally look forward to brighter days ahead."