Two-thirds have had first dose of vaccine

Nearly two-thirds of people in Sunderland have now received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, the latest figures reveal.

NHS data shows 154,217 people had received a vaccine jab by April 18 – 64% of those aged 16 and over, according to the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those vaccinated, 109,477 were aged 50 and over – 97% of the age group.

That means 35,477 people aged between 16 to 49 have received a first dose of the vaccine.

The data also reveals some variation in coverage between different areas across the area.

The proportion of residents prioritised for vaccinations – such as those aged 50 and over - is one of a range of factors that could affect vaccine coverage.

The area with the highest coverage is Herrington and Doxford, with 75.4% of people aged 16 and over having been given their first dose. The rate in Seaburn is 74.3% and the rate in Hall Farm is 71.9%.

Areas with the lowest coverage are Sunderland Central and Deptford (38.4%), Millfield (47.9%) and Barnes Park (55.2%).

Nationally 27.5million people had received their first dose of a vaccine by April 18 – covering 61% of the population aged 16 and over.

That includes 20million people aged 50 and over – 95% of the age group.

The figures also show that 8.7million people have had a second dose of the jab – 19% of people over 16.

A small number of people are not included in the figures due to their age being unknown.