Almost all over-70s in Cheshire have had first coronavirus vaccine
But supplies to Cheshire will be cut to allow other areas to catch up.
Last updated 20th Feb 2021
Almost all of the over-70 population in Cheshire have had their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
The latest NHS England data, released on Thursday 18th February, shows 117,387 residents aged 70-plus have had their first dose of a vaccine, out of an over-70 population of 119,773.
That represents a 98 per cent success rate.
However, as the progress of the scheme in Cheshire is revealed, it's understood that supplies to Cheshire are being redirected to other parts of the UK so they can 'catch up'.
That’s according to Cheshire East council leader Sam Corcoran, who said on Wednesday:
"The vaccination programme, organised by NHS Cheshire CCG and local GPs, is going exceptionally well and over 90 per cent of those in the top four priority groups have been vaccinated.
"Many primary care networks have moved on to vaccinating those over 60.
"However, because the local vaccination programme has been done so well, it is understandable that the decision has been taken centrally to throttle back the supply of vaccines to Cheshire East.
"I am assured that the vaccine supply will improve by March."
On Friday, he added the decision was made ‘to allow other areas to catch up’ with Cheshire’s progress.
The NHS England data also shows that 2,666 over-70s had had both doses, as of February 14.
75,372 under-70s have received their jab, with 3,320 having both inoculations.
It means that 198,745 vaccines have been delivered in Cheshire, and 664,491 have been completed in the Cheshire and Merseyside sub-region.