Johnson hails ‘extraordinary’ progress of vaccine drive as 15 million get jab

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing February 15, 2021 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines More than 15 million people across the UK [have been given their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine](, according to the government. Boris Johnson described the achievement as an “extraordinary feat” that had taken “a truly national effort”. The prime minister also claimed that England had hit its target of offering a vaccine to everyone in the top four priority groups. The Welsh government said it met this target on Friday. Mr Johnson had promised that a dose of the vaccine would be offered by 15 February to everyone over the age of 70 and everyone considered clinically extremely vulnerable. A controversial plan to [use force to take fingerprints from asylum seekers at French ports]( will lead to violence and self-harm, Priti Patel has been warned. Charities and Border Force staff have criticised the home secretary over the move, which would allow the use of “reasonable force” in obtaining prints in Calais and Dunkirk as part of efforts to make it easier to remove people who then cross the Channel. The same measure was abandoned nine years ago after angry clashes with officers, and after some refugees slashed or burned their own fingertips to prevent the evidence being taken. Despite that, the Commons is poised to vote through a return of the policy in the next few weeks, in order to provide what the Home Office claims is “crucial” evidence in rejecting an asylum claim. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced [they are expecting their second child](. “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother,” a spokesperson for the couple said. The couple shared a black-and-white picture of themselves, sat under a tree in an idyllic garden, with Harry resting his hand on Meghan’s head as she lies in his lap cradling her bump. Their new baby will be eighth in line to the British throne, one step down from their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born in May 2019. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and the entire family are delighted and wish them well.’’ . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [Armoured vehicles on streets of Myanmar amid coup protests]( [Hospitals ‘told to go into crisis mode’ in France]( [New Zealand’s new Covid cases are all UK variant, says Ardern]( . Get the full Independent perspective Subscribe today for £1 and enjoy unlimited access to our trusted journalism. [Subscribe now]( . More news - [The Latest: Philippines sets back theater, arcade reopenings]( - [Italy won't open its ski slopes due to virus fears]( - [Czechs re-declare state of emergency to keep restrictions]( - [Dominic Raab says people should wait 10 years before judging Brexit problems]( - [Protesters say French anti-radicalism law is anti-Muslim]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.