More than half the UK population has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, according to the latest figures.

As of the end of Friday, 33,508,590 people have had at least one dose of the coronavirus jab, while 12,071,810 people have had both doses. The UK population is estimated to be 66,796,807.

Experts have said vaccines should be able to control the COVID-19 pandemic, as they published new real-world UK data showing that jabs slash infection and are likely to cut transmission.

Just one dose of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine leads to a two-thirds drop in coronavirus cases and is 74 percent effective against symptomatic infection.

After two doses of Pfizer, there was a 70 percent reduction in all cases and a 90 percent drop in symptomatic cases - the people who are most likely to transmit coronavirus to others.

Experts are still collecting data on two doses of AstraZeneca but say their findings show that both vaccines work and are effective in the real world.

(With input from agencies)