'Small number' of Dorset Police officers receive Covid-19 vaccine
The government's been under pressure to move police up the priority list
Dorset Police have revealed a small number of frontline officers have been given Covid-19 vaccinations.
The government's been under pressure to ensure police are moved up the priority list for the jab.
Ministers say the most vulnerable are receiving it first.
Dorset's Chief Constable James Vaughan is pleased some of his officers have had the vaccine.
He said it was a huge relief.
"A few dozen have had their vaccines which means they can now go about their business slightly more confident than perhaps they were.
"I think key workers, and not just police officers, are placing themselves at higher risk than the general public.
"I have not met a single key worker that would elbow their way in front of a more vulnerable or more deserving person. But where there is available vaccine I would expect some of that is made available to protect some of our fantastic key workers.
"We have had at any one time 40 to 50 police officers and staff with Covid. We have had a number of police officers admitted to hospital, very seriously ill. So it's a serious issue and one that I continue to support."