Latest Covid vaccination figures for Leicestershire and Rutland revealed

Latest government figures, up to February 7, show 199,054 residents have had a first jab out of the population in the two counties of 890,742.

Vaccination centres have given the jab to 96.4 per cent of those in Leicestershire and Rutland aged 75 to 79 and they’ve also injected 91.9 per cent of people aged 80 and over.

The figures, which are today (Friday) likely to be significantly higher due to the lag in reporting, show there is still a little catching up to be done in the age demographic of 70 to 74 years, with just two-thirds of these people having had the vaccine so far.

Just under 10 per cent of people in the two counties aged from 16 to 69 have now had their first dose.

The government aims to have offered a first Covid jab by Monday to everyone in the UK aged 70 and over, all who are deemed clinically extremely vulnerable and every frontline health and care worker.

The vaccination rate figures, released last night by the National Immunisation Management Services (NIMS), show there have been almost 50,000 jabs given in the two counties in the week to February 7.

There has been quite an acceleration in the rate of vaccination for the age group 75 to 79 years, from 73.1 per cent to 96.4 per cent in those last seven days.

Most people will have to wait up to 12 weeks for their second jab because of the need to prioritise quickly giving at least one dose of the vaccination to those most vulnerable to the virus.

But 6.88 per cent of people aged 80 and over have so far had both jabs in Leicestershire and Rutland and 1,872 residents aged under 70 have done so, which is only 0.25 per cent of the local population.

There are currently no figures available for the number of vaccinations that have been given purely to residents in the Melton borough.

Everyone aged 70 and over who has not yet had their first Covid jab is advised now to contact the health trust of their GP practice to book an appointment to have the vaccine.

Latest Covid vaccination figures (up to Feb 7) for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland - 1st dose only:

80yrs & over:

Total so far - 48,524;

Population for age demographic - 52,800;

Total percentage - 91.9%.

75-79yrs:

Total so far - 35,298;

Population for age demographic - 36,599;

Total percentage - 96.4%.

70-74yrs:

Total so far - 35,718;

Population for age demographic - 53,282;

Total percentage - 67%

16-69yrs:

Total so far - 73,162;

Population for age demographic - 748,061;

Total percentage - 9.78%

Total vaccinations so far (all ages): 199,054

Population (Leicester, Leics & Rutland): 890,742

Total percentage: 22.3 per cent.