More than 20 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine - part of the biggest inoculation programme the country has ever launched.

In a race against a faster-spreading variant of the virus, ministers have pinned their hopes of easing a third national lockdown on protecting the most vulnerable groups by spring.

The UK vaccine programme has entered the second part of its first phase after everyone in the first four priority groups - those aged 70 and over, care home residents, healthcare workers and people required to shield - were offered a jab by mid-February.

If you can't see the lookup, click here

The rollout is now being expanded to include those aged 60 and above and those with underlying health conditions. The rest of the over-50s will follow, with the government aiming to offer everyone in priority groups five to nine a jab by 15 April.

These groups account for 88% of deaths so far.

Almost 21 million people so far have had a first vaccine dose - equivalent to more than one in three adults in the UK. More than 960,000 have had a second.

The number of first doses administered each day had been steadily climbing since December - reaching more than 400,000 a day mid-February.

However, the current seven-day average for first doses is about 330,000 doses a day.

Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, acknowledged there were "supply fluctuations" for the vaccines and said it could take "a few months" for manufacturers to get into a steady routine for production.

The campaign to reach as many people as quickly as possible was boosted by a shift in policy in early January - to prioritise the first dose of a vaccine, with a second dose up to 12 weeks later, a bigger gap than originally planned.

The progress made in the UK so far means the country continues to be among those with the highest vaccination rates globally.

From spring, the government plans to begin vaccinating the rest of the adult population in age order, another 21 million people.

People in their 40s will be next, once the current phase is completed.

There has been some regional variation in the vaccination rollout, but most areas are now reaching high proportions of those in priority age groups.

Among those aged 65 and above, Scotland has administered a first dose to about 97% of people.

The average for England is 94%, with most English regions in the early to mid-90s, but with London lagging behind at around 85%.

Wales has reached about 90% of the same age group, while Northern Ireland has given first doses to 83%.

There have also been disparities between ethnic groups and poorer and wealthier areas.

Analysis of NHS records by the OpenSAFELY group - a collaboration between Oxford University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - shows that black people were the least likely to have received a vaccine among three of the older age groups.

The study was based on more than 20 million patient records in England and covers people not living in care homes. Areas of London are under-represented in the data.

In addition, 89% of those aged 80 and over in the poorest areas had been given a vaccine by 24 February compared with 96% in the most affluent areas.

When looking for evidence for whether the campaign is working, data for England shows coronavirus numbers are falling faster for vaccinated groups compared with unvaccinated groups.

This suggests that the vaccine is starting to push numbers down, instead of as a result other factors, like the lockdown.

On average, deaths of over-65s fell by 59% between 12-26 February, compared with 52% for under-65s.

Coronavirus hospital admissions are also falling faster for older age groups.

We would expect this effect to become stronger over time - but this might take several weeks, and significant population coverage.

The UK is currently receiving doses of two vaccines approved by the medicine regulator.

The Pfizer-BioNTech jab - the first to be given the green light in December - is being imported from Puurs, Belgium.

A second vaccine, from Oxford University and AstraZeneca, is being made in Britain by two biotech companies: Oxford BioMedica, based in Oxford; and Cobra Biologics, based at Keele Science Park, Staffs.

Another company, Wockhardt, based in Wrexham, fills the vials and packages them for use.

Supplies of a third vaccine to be approved, made by US company Moderna, will come from Europe but are not expected to be available until later next month.

The UK is also lined up to receive at least three other vaccines if they are approved for use.

A jab manufactured by US firm Novavax will be made in Stockton-on-Tees in north-east England, while another by French company Valneva will be made in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland.

The third, by Belgian firm Janssen, owned by Johnson & Johnson, should also be available later this year.

People will be vaccinated in three main ways, at:

The government has urged the public to "play their part" in supporting "the largest vaccination programme in British history", including helping people attend their appointments.

The UK has ordered more than 400 million doses of seven of the most promising vaccines.

Three have so far been approved for use: Oxford-AstraZeneca; Pfizer-BioNTech; and Moderna.

The UK government has also announced an eighth deal with biopharmaceutical company CureVac to develop vaccines against future variants.

It has placed an initial order for 50 million doses to be delivered later this year - if they are required.

But there have been a number of challenges in what is called the vaccine "supply chain" - the logistics of how the jab gets from manufacturers to people.

Getting enough supplies, checking those supplies are up to scratch and transporting vaccines according to their requirements have all thrown up difficulties.

Will your vaccine appointment be the first time you have left home in a long while? Have you or your loved ones been making a special effort for the occasion? Send your photos or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

Or please use the form below: