Covid-19 vaccinations: A fifth of people in Bedford aged 45 and over are now fully vaccinated

A fifth of people aged 45 and over in Bedford have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

NHS data shows 28,620 people had received both jabs by April 25 – 21 per cent of those aged 16 and over, based on the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those to have received both jabs, 24,198 were aged 45 and over – 32 per cent of the age group.

It means 4,422 people aged between 16 and 44 have received both doses.

The figures also show 85,332 people in Bedford have received at least one jab – 62 per cent of those aged 16 and over.

It comes as the Government announced an extra 60 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus jab have been secured for a booster vaccination programme in the autumn.

Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer, has said the vaccine could reduce a third wave of the virus, but warned it was “inconceivable” that there will not be further bumps in the road.

Speaking at a Downing Street press briefing, he said: “What is important about these vaccines and the vaccine rollout is it really is the way out of getting into trouble of the same size and magnitude ever again, and that’s why it’s important that this job must get finished.”

The data reveals variation in coverage for residents who had received at least one dose between different areas across Bedford.

The proportion of people prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged 42 and over, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.

Areas with the highest coverage:

1) Riseley & Sharnbrook, with 75.9 per cent of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

2) Putnoe, 74.4 per cent

3) Wootton & Stewartby, 73.5 per cent

Areas with the lowest coverage:

1) Queens Park, 44.4 per cent

2) Cauldwell, 47 per cent

3) Castle & Kingsway, 49.2 per cent

Across England, 11 million people had received a second dose of the jab by April 25 – 24 per cent of the population aged over 16 and over.

That includes 9.4 million people aged 45 and over – 38 per cent of the age group.

In total, 28.2 million people had received at least one dose of a vaccine by the same date, covering 62 per cent of people over 16.

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

Despite the success of the rollout, many staff at care homes in Bedford have not been vaccinated.

The figures show 1493 out of 1914 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by April 25 – meaning 22 per cent have not had a jab.

The Government is currently in consultation over plans to make the jab mandatory for staff over concerns for residents.