Nine in ten over-65s in West Sussex given Covid-19 vaccine
Jabs have been given to almost 40% of the county's residents
Nine in 10 people aged 65 and over in West Sussex have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.
NHS data shows 271,048 people in the West Sussex clinical commissioning group area had received their first jab by last Sunday (February 21st).
Of those, 179,236 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.
The Government has pledged to offer vaccinations to everyone aged over 50 by the end of April.
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 data also shows 91,812 people aged between 16 and 64 in West Sussex had received a first vaccination dose.
It means 39% 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 West Sussex, 5,852 people had received their second dose by February 21st.