Seven in ten people on the Isle of Wight have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
As Covid cases slowly rise on the Island and nationally, the vaccine rollout has continued with 2,397 more first and second jabs handed out bringing the total administered to 189,788.
Walk-in appointments
With the recent introduction of walk-in appointments for those aged over 18 now, in an attempt to vaccinate more of the adult population before restrictions could potentially ease later this month, more than double first doses were given than second in the last week on the Island.
Weekly jabs
Figures released today by NHS England show in the week up to 27th June, 1,624 people had their first jab and only 773 people a second.
Despite the seeming slow down in the vaccination rates, 103,879 people or 70 per cent of the Isle of Wight have had their first dose.
More than half of the Island’s population are now fully vaccinated from the virus, with 85,909 Islanders having had both jabs.
Booster programme
Plans are starting to be drawn up by the NHS for a booster vaccine programme for the most vulnerable, which could be rolled out in the winter.
It comes as new health secretary Sajid Javid, reaffirms the easing of lockdown restrictions will take place on July 19 and set the aim of having two-thirds of the national adult population vaccinated by then.
New analysis from Public Health England and Cambridge University has said the vaccination programme in the country has prevented an estimated 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
