Nearly nine in ten people aged 65 and over across south Essex have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, figures have revealed.

The find, which applies to Southend, Basildon and Brentwood, as well as Castle Point and Rochford, comes from data released today (February 25).

Southend

NHS Data show 48,527 people in the Southend clinical commissioning group area had received their first jab by February 21.

Of those, 30,377 were aged 65 or over ­– equating to 85 per cent of the population in that age group, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

The data also shows 18,150 people aged between 16 and 64 in Southend had received a first vaccination dose.

It means 33 per cent of people aged 16 and over living in the area have received their first jab.

Across Southend, 2,363 people had received their second dose by February 21.

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Basildon and Brentwood

NHS data shows 61,869 people in the Basildon and Brentwood clinical commissioning group area had received their first jab by February 21.

Of those, 41,177 were aged 65 or over ­– equating to 86 per cent of the population in that age group, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

The data also shows 20,692 people aged between 16 and 64 in Basildon and Brentwood had received a first vaccination dose.

It means 29 per cent of people aged 16 and over living in the area have received their first jab.

Across Basildon and Brentwood, 2,564 people had received their second dose by February 21.

Castle Point and Rochford

NHS data shows 54,465 people in the Castle Point and Rochford clinical commissioning group area had received their first jab by February 21.

Of those, 38,554 were aged 65 or over ­– equating to 89 per cent of the population in that age group, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

The data also shows 15,911 people aged between 16 and 64 in Castle Point and Rochford had received a first vaccination dose.

It means 37 per cent of people aged 16 and over living in the area have received their first jab.

Across Castle Point and Rochford, 2,419 people had received their second dose by February 21.

Nationally

Across England, around 9.4 million people aged 65 and over had received their first dose of a vaccine by February 21, covering 90 per cent 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.

Their 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.