Quarter of Warrington residents fully Covid-19 vaccinated

NHS data shows that 42,823 people in the town had received both jabs by April 25, which calculates as 25 per cent of people aged 16 and over.

Of those to have received both jabs, 36,951 were aged 45 and over – 38 per cent of the age group.

The figures also show that 113,211 people in Warrington have received at least one jab, which works out as 66 per cent of those aged 16 and over.

People aged 40 and over in England are now able to book their Covid jabs, with text messages being sent to 40 and 41-year-olds directing them to the national booking service.

It comes as the Government announced an extra 60million doses of the Pfizer jab have been secured for a booster vaccination programme in the autumn.

Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer, has said the vaccine could reduce a third wave of the virus, but warned it was ‘inconceivable’ that there will not be further bumps in the road.

A quarter of Warrington residents are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19

Speaking at a Downing Street press briefing, he said: “What is important about these vaccines and the vaccine rollout is it really is the way out of getting into trouble of the same size and magnitude ever again, and that’s why it’s important that this job must get finished.”

Data also reveals variation in coverage for residents who had received at least one dose between different areas across Warrington.

The proportion of people prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged 42 and over, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.

Appleton leads the way, with 83.1 per cent of people aged 16 and over having been given their first dose.

This is followed by Appleton Thorn, Stretton and Walton (76.1 per cent) and Great Sankey (75.6 per cent).

Conversely, Fairfield and Howley demonstrated the lowest coverage, with 49.7 per cent of eligible residents receiving their first vaccine dose.

Bewsey and Dallam came next at 53.3 per cent, followed by Central Warrington with 54.8 per cent.

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Across England, 11million people had received a second dose of the jab by April 25 – 24 per cent of the population aged over 16 and over.

That includes 9.4million people aged 45 and over – 38 per cent of the age group.

In total, 28.2million people had received at least one dose of a vaccine by the same date, covering 62 per cent of people over 16.

Despite the success of the rollout, many staff at care homes in Warrington have not been vaccinated.

The figures show 1,724 out of 2,206 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by April 25, meaning 22 per cent have not had a jab.

The Government is currently in consultation over plans to make the jab mandatory for staff over concerns for residents.