Doctors say the vast majority of vulnerable people in Gloucestershire have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
More than 88% of those most likely to die if they catch coronavirus have already had their full vaccine in the county.
And 80% of all local adults have had at least one dose with 61% of the whole county having had both jabs.
Dr Andrew Seymour told today’s (June 15) health overview & scrutiny committee that the figures were hugely encouraging.
The NHS Gloucestershire clinical commissioning group chairman praised all those involved for the “sterling” effort in helping roll out the vaccine since the winter.
“The initial drive was to cover cohorts one to nine. So that’s anyone above the age of 50, anyone classified as clinically vulnerable, anyone who had chronic, serious and significant illness and all health and care staff workers,” Dr Seymour said.
“The importance of that group is that in the first wave of the pandemic they made up 99% of all hospitalisations and deaths of Covid-19.
“That was the group we were really concentrating on getting vaccinated and it is pleasing to report that in this county we’ve now got 88% of that group have had both vaccinations.”
Dr Seymour explained that the vaccine roll out was now concentrating on younger people.
The latest cohort includes 23-year-olds and health bosses are planning to shorten the interval between vaccines for the over 40s.
“In terms of overall vaccination in the county, 80% of adults have had at least one dose and 61% of the whole county have had both vaccinations.
“We are one of, if not the best, across the South West and therefore across the country.
“The other cohorts, 10, 11 and 12 are going down the ages and we are currently embarking on the 23-year-olds to get their first dose done.
“We are also bringing forward the interval between the second doses of those above 50 and we are now looking at bringing forward the over 40 group so that their interval reduces from 12 to eight weeks.”
