Majority of people in Morecambe Bay aged 65 and over receive first Covid-19 vaccine

NHS data shows 107,139 people in the Morecambe Bay clinical commissioning group area - which covers the Lancaster district and South Lakeland - had received their first jab by February 21.

Of those, 70,256 were aged 65 or over ­– equating to 91% of the population in that age group, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Across England, around 9.4 million people aged 65 and over had received their first dose of a vaccine by February 21, covering 90% of the age group – although the dosage figure includes a handful of people with registered addresses in Scotland or Wales.

A small number of people are also not included due to their age being unknown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said first jabs had now been offered to everyone in the top four vaccine priority groups – consisting of older care home residents, care home workers, people aged over 70, frontline health and social care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

Vaccinations are now being provided to those next up in the priority groups – people aged 65 and over, carers and those aged 16 and over with a condition which puts them at a higher risk of serious illness and death from Covid-19.

The Government has pledged to offer vaccinations to everyone aged over 50 by the end of April.

The data also shows 36,883 people aged between 16 and 64 in Morecambe Bay had received a first vaccination dose.

It means 38% of people aged 16 and over living in the area have received their first jab.

The Government's plan to provide vaccinations at more than 2,500 locations across England should ensure everyone will be within 10 miles of a centre.

Vaccinations are currently being given in major hospitals, pharmacies and newly-set-up centres such as football stadiums and out-of-town parking areas.

This is on top of more than 1,000 local vaccinations services in surgeries, community centres and churches.

After the first dose of the vaccine, people should receive a follow-up jab within 12 weeks, according to current guidance.

Across Morecambe Bay, 116 people had received their second dose by February 21.