How close is the UK to herd immunity?
Dr Hilary warns you 'can't rely' on vaccines for herd immunity  top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Herd immunity should only be achieved through vaccination according to the World Health Organization. Countries which endeavoured to attain this indirect protection through exposure found many people died as a result and therefore coronavirus vaccination was seen as the safest and easiest way to reach it. Around eight in 10 adults in most parts of the UK have Covid antibodies according to new figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published new estimates valid for the week beginning May 17, which showed 80.3 percent of adults in England have coronavirus antibodies. This compares to 79.9 percent in Northern Ireland, 72.6 percent in Scotland and 82.7 percent in Wales. Estimates for all devolved nations across the UK have increased month-on-month. Most of the antibodies in adults will be the result of vaccination - with 77 percent of adults having received at least one dose of the vaccine so far. The rest is as a result of those who have contracted Covid and have antibodies as a result. But despite such a large proportion of the UK population having antibodies against the disease, many experts claim we have not reached herd immunity. How close is the UK to herd immunity: Around eight in 10 adults now have Covid antibodies  READ MORE Coronavirus symptoms update: Neurological and mental issues are signs In March 20202, the UKs chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance spoke about herd immunity. He said experts estimated around 60 percent of the UKs 66 million population would need to contract the virus to build up immunity. Sir Patrick told Sky News: Communities will become immune to it and thats going to be an important part of controlling this longer term. About 60 percent is the sort of figure you need to get herd immunity. Speaking to the BBC, he added: Our aim is to try to reduce the peak, broaden the peak, not suppress it completely; also, because the vast majority of people get a mild illness, to build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease and we reduce the transmission, at the same time we protect those who are most vulnerable to it.  How close is the UK to herd immunity: 80.3 percent of adults in England have antibodies  Herd immunity will come to fruition when there are not enough people vulnerable to the virus for it to spread through the population. However, with the emergence of new highly transmissible variants such as the Delta variant, it is likely herd immunity will take place when around 80 percent of the entire UK population is immune. The ONS data shows 80 percent of the UK adult population (52m) are now immune, whereas around 53.36m people would have to be immune to represent 80 percent of the UKs entire 66.7m population. According to the ONS, around 41.6m people currently have Covid antibodies - falling 11.76m short of the figure needed for herd immunity. DON'T MISS  UK records 7,540 new cases as Indian variant surges across nation [INSIGHT]  Women say they are treated like prisoners in 2.4k quarantine hotel [EXPLAINER]  Glasgow Euro 2020 fan zone fallout  Sturgeon under fire over [ANALYSIS]  How close is the UK to herd immunity: Around 41.6m are now immune  READ MORE 'I was in Cobra meetings!' Minister hits out at Dominic Cummings More than one million people booked a COVID-19 vaccine through the NHS website on Tuesday, June 8, after the vaccination was opened up to those aged 25 to 29. A total of 1,082,596 first and second dose slots were snapped up during the 24-hour period online and by phone. This equates to around 45,000 an hour on average and more than 750 every minute. On Monday, June 7, just 279,678 doses were booked through the national booking service. Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said the eagerness of 25 to 29-year-olds had sent bookings to "blockbuster levels". How close is the UK to herd immunity: Mr Hancock said the Delta variant is at least 40 percent more transmissible  The blockbuster take-up of the vaccination programme is one element helping the UK to reach herd immunity. However, on the flip side, the emergence of new variants, including the Delta variant, are working against efforts to reach this state. Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Parliament the main type of Covid in the UK is the Delta variant. He said the variant is at least 40 percent more transmissible than the Kent variant which prompted the surge in cases last winter. The UK reported another 7,540 coronavirus cases in the past 24-hours - the highest number since February 27. Trending