Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell has praised vaccination efforts as the country hit a major target early.

More than 32 million people have been given a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, with jabs offered to everyone aged 50 and over, health and care workers and the clinically vulnerable.

This group accounts for 99 per cent of all Covid-19 deaths during the pandemic.

The Government has now met its target to offer a vaccine to everyone in the top nine priority groups ahead of the goal of April 15.

With the milestone now met, phase two of the vaccination programme will begin this week, with people aged 45 to 49 invited to book their appointments.

Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell said: “It is fantastic, and they have opened it to over-45s now – and as I understand it the website crashed because of demand.

“At the weekend I was out at the beer garden with some friends and it showed the impact of the vaccination programme; we are unlocking on time and it means that hopefully we will soon be free of all restrictions, which is great.

“It is a testament to everyone’s sacrifice for getting this far.

“Barrow, Millom and all of Furness have been exceptional with the volunteers and the GPs and vaccination centres.

“If anyone gets a call for the jab, make sure you go. It’s not just protecting you, but it is protecting everyone else as well.”

Just moments after people over the age of 45 were told they could now book a vaccine appointment, users attempting to book an appointment were met with a message: “The NHS website is currently experiencing technical difficulties.

"We are working to resolve these issues. Thank you for your patience.”

In England, about 95 per cent of people aged 50 and over have received a first dose, while 92 per cent of people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 have also received a vaccine.

Speaking in Parliament, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I’m delighted that across the UK we’ve met our target to offer a vaccine to everyone in the top nine priority groups ahead of the deadline of April 15.

“We’ve now delivered a first dose to more than 32 million people and are on track to offer a vaccine to all adults by the end of July.”

The NHS will continue to offer vaccines to people in cohorts one to nine who have not yet come forward and will be offering people their second doses within 12 weeks in line with the guidance from the JCVI.

To book a vaccination, visit https://tinyurl.com/a5cunzxk