LONDON — Every adult in the United Kingdom has been offered the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, hitting the government’s target ahead of schedule.

A total of 82,413,766 doses have been administered in the UK, with 46,314,039 people receiving a first dose (87.9 percent) and 36,099,727 people receiving both doses (68.5 percent), the UK government said in a statement.

The UK government had set targets to offer a vaccine to all adults in the UK and to vaccinate two in three adults with both doses by July 19 — and both were achieved by Sunday July (18) ahead of the government’s easing of the precautionary measures, the statement read.

According to the statement, all adults in the UK will be fully vaccinated by mid-September.

Commenting on the passing of a new milestone, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Barely 8 months since the first vaccine was given, reaching these targets is another extraordinary achievement.

“Thank you again to everyone coming forward, and to those helping others to get jabbed. You are the reason we are able to cautiously ease restrictions next week, and return closer towards a normal life.”

“Now let’s finish the job. If you’re over 18, book both your jabs today,” the UK premier added.

Meanwhile, UK Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The fact we have hit another vaccine target early is testament to the sheer dedication of NHS teams and local volunteers in every corner of the UK who are at the center of the phenomenal rollout of the life-saving vaccines.

Our world-leading vaccination program is helping to build up a strong defense around our population, saving tens of thousands of lives and preventing millions of infections to allow us to cautiously progress through the roadmap. — Agencies