Hampshire and Isle of Wight weekly Covid-19 vaccinations drop by almost 30 per cent

Between January 31 and February 7, 94,452 people received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with 80,981 first jabs done in the following week.

Latest data for February 14-21 shows 67,940 people were vaccinated – a decrease of 28 per cent from the first week in the month.

So far 96.5 per cent of over-80s in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area have received their first jab – along with 94.2 per cent of those aged 70-74.

The figures come after reports the vaccination supercentre at St James' Hospital in Milton, Portsmouth, has sent staff home early in quiet periods.

The centre run by Solent NHS Trust is trialling walk-in appointments from 12.30-3.30pm.

David Noyes, chief operating officer for the trust, said health bosses are happy with the progress being made.

He said: ‘The NHS in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is making excellent progress in vaccinating people in the priority groups with nearly half a million people vaccinated so far.

‘We regularly review and adjust the way we provide the service so that it is as convenient as possible for people in our local communities to get protected against the virus and this week we are trialling a walk in vaccine service for people in the priority groups.

‘We would encourage everyone to take up the offer when they are invited.’

Some 21,404 over-70s in Portsmouth have had their first vaccine dose – an estimated 95.4 per cent of the population.

In Gosport, 98.9 per cent have received their first vaccination, 99.4 per cent in Fareham and Havant, and 97.5 per cent in East Hampshire.

This means a total of 97,676 have at least had their first jab, as of February 21.

Hayling Island GP Dr Hannah Morgan has been involved in the community roll out.

She said the second dose programme would be 'harder and more daunting' than the first.

But added it was 'daunting but doable'. On Twitter she said: ‘The sooner we can book the second with the first the better.’

Eligible people can book a vaccination by going to nhs.uk/covid-vaccination

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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