Official figures show 640 double vaccinated Covid deaths in England in 2021

Statistics back up scientific warnings about the continuing Covid threat for fully inoculated people

A total of 640 fully vaccinated Covid deaths were recorded in England from January 2 to July 2. Photo: Reuters

More than 600 people in England who had received both Covid shots died after contracting the virus during the first half of this year, newly released statistics have shown.

The number includes people who had been infected before they received their second dose.

The ONS said there were 256 "breakthrough deaths", a term used for someone testing positive for the first time 14 days after their second vaccination dose.

Men accounted for 61.1 per cent of such deaths.

Over three quarters of these deaths (76.6 per cent) occurred in those who were clinically extremely vulnerable.

More than 43 million people have been fully vaccinated in the UK.

The figures show the risk of death involving Covid-19 is consistently lower for people who receive two vaccinations compared with one or no vaccination.

From January 2 to July 2, there were 51,281 Covid-related deaths registered in England, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Of the fatalities, 640 (1.2 per cent) had been given both shots.

A total of 458 people passed away after the 21-day mark following their second shot while 182 people died within three weeks of being double vaccinated.

The 640 deaths accounted for 1.2 per cent of all deaths involving coronavirus that occurred in England in the first seven months of this year.

The number of people who died between January 2 and July 2 who had not received any Covid vaccine was 38,964.

Julie Stanborough, deputy director of health and life events at the ONS, said: “Our new analysis shows that, sadly, there have been deaths of people involving Covid-19 despite them being fully vaccinated.

Scientific experts have warned that the vaccine does not offer full protection against Covid. Photo: Reuters

“However, we’ve also found that the risk of a death involving Covid-19 is much lower among people who are fully vaccinated than those who are unvaccinated or have only received one dose.

“This shows the effectiveness of the vaccines in giving a high degree of protection against severe illness and death.”

The release of the data comes after a rise in infections among people who have received both doses cast doubt on the efficacy of Covid vaccines.

And the figures give weight to warnings from scientists that the virus remains a threat to people even after they have been fully vaccinated, as no jab is 100 per cent effective.

Scientific experts have said regardless of which vaccine is administered, it takes around two weeks after the second dose for a person to build up immunity against the virus.

People take photos at Westminster Bridge in London. The British health minister has said that the country will not be imposing a Covid-19 'vaccine passport' system to verify vaccination status at concerts, nightclubs and other venues. Getty Images

Runners take part in the 40th Great North Run in Newcastle upon Tyne. Approximately 57,000 runners were expected to take part in the half marathon. Getty Images

The Great North Run, which was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was held with several coronavirus safety measures in place, including route changes, staggered start times and hand sanitiser stations. Getty Images

An armed police officer talks to members of the public wearing face masks in Manchester city centre. Getty Images

Fans play cricket outside the Emirates Old Trafford venue in Manchester after the fifth Test against England was cancelled over Covid-19 concerns. PA

A Covid-19 vaccination sign outside a hospital in central London. EPA

Traders, brokers and clerks shout and gesture on the first day of in-person trading at the London Metal Exchange after the trading ring moved to electronic-only trades in March 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Getty Images

People enjoy a River Thames cruise in London. Getty Images

Natalie Dean, a biostatistics professor at Emory University, recently warned about the spread of the delta variant of Covid-19, saying it made it “a lot harder” to stop transmission.

As of September 11, 80.9 per cent of the UK population had been fully vaccinated while 89.1 per cent had received their first dose.

On Sunday the UK recorded 56 new Covid deaths within 28 days of a positive test and 29,173 infections.

The release of the ONS data comes as Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to unveil his Winter Plan to tackle Covid.

Media reports suggest he is hoping to rely on vaccines and booster shots for some adults deemed vulnerable in a bid to stave off having to impose another lockdown.

The release of the ONS data comes as Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to unveil his Winter Plan to tackle Covid.

Media reports suggest he is hoping to rely on vaccines and booster shots for some adults deemed vulnerable in a bid to stave off having to impose another lockdown.

The package also includes proposals to reintroduce social distancing requirements and the mandatory face mask rule for indoor public spaces if the pandemic worsens.

And vaccine passports could be rolled out if the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is one the cusp of becoming overwhelmed by Covid patients.

A senior government source told The Telegraph that Mr Johnson will tell Britons “we need to learn to live with Covid” when he sets out his plan tomorrow.