Herefordshire and Worcestershire's coronavirus vaccination programme has been ranked as one of the best in the country with more than three quarters of the over-80s already receiving their first jab.
The most recent NHS data available says 76.2 per cent of people aged over 80 in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have received their first vaccine.
A total of 37,609 over-80s were vaccinated between December 8 and January 17 – more than three quarters of the 49,360 people aged over 80 in both counties.
The two county’s figures for the percentage of over-80s vaccinated was the third best in the county behind Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire.
Figures show Worcestershire and Herefordshire also has the best figures in the country for the percentage of under-80s vaccinated.
A total of 39,872 people aged between 18 and 79 have received their first Covid jab in the two counties – around seven per cent of the adult population.
The percentage is higher than any other part of the country, according to the NHS England figures.
A total of 77,481 people have been vaccinated in Worcestershire and Herefordshire with 1,459 receiving both vaccines.
Simon Trickett, chief executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG, said he was “delighted” with the over-80s figures.
“Thanks to the incredible work by the teams responsible for planning and delivering the vaccine, we currently have the highest vaccination rate across the Midlands region,” he said. “Over the past few months, we’ve seen the very best of the local health and care system, with everyone working together as a single team and everyone playing their part.
“The data released on Thursday (January 21) is a fantastic illustration of how successful that work has been through this initial phase of the vaccination programme.”
“Reaching those remaining residents remains our highest priority over the coming weeks, as well as continuing to offer the vaccine to those over 70, people in care homes and our health and social care workers. We’ve still a long way to go, but with even more vaccination sites coming online soon we’ll continue to make rapid progress in our fight against this virus.
“In the meantime, I want to thank everyone for the time, effort and patience they have put in to keep themselves and others safe.”
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