Coronavirus: Havant young people more likely to get jab than anywhere else in England

Analysis based on vaccine data from April 15 showed 42.7 per cent of people aged between 16 and 49 in Havant have been given at least their first Covid jab - the highest amount in the country.

This was above other areas high on the list including Wyre in Lancashire - 42 per cent - and Hertsmere in Hertfordshire - 41.5 per cent.

A total of 72 of the 313 local authority areas in England are estimated to have given a first dose to at least a third of people in this age group.

Within The News’ circulation area, Portsmouth has distributed the largest amount of vaccines overall with 100,884.

However, as reported, it has seen a slow down in numbers over the past two weeks, with around 2,000 given a week compared to more than 13,000 in one week in March, in part due to vaccine delays and patient uptake.

As of April 18 a total of 75,434 people in Havant had at least one vaccine, and in East Hampshire this figure was 71,846.

In Fareham 68,068 people have had theirs and in Gosport the total is 44,444.

Today, residents getting their vaccines from Lalys Pharmacy in Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, spoke of their excitement.

Fareham resident Angela Bulbeck, 49, was their to get her first dose.

She said: ‘I am excited. I think it's a very good thing that we are doing. It's not just helping keep me safe but others around me like my parents. They have now had both doses and when I spoke to my mum last night she was so happy that I was getting my first.’

Stephen Arter, 81, from Havant was there to get his second AstraZeneca jab. ‘I'm really pleased to get my second dose,’ he said.

‘I feel fine and last time I had no side effects. I hope this means I can go out a bit more now as I really love to go walking.'

And 87-year-old Robin McInnes from Havant said: ‘I didn't have any symptoms from the first jab so I feel fine about this one. Hopefully it'll be the same.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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