22,000 in Hartlepool get both virus jabs

NHS data shows 22,873 people had received both jabs by May 9 – 30% of those aged 16 and over.

Of those to have received both jabs, 20,154 were over 40 – 41% of the age group – and 2,719 people aged between 16 to 39 have also received both doses.

Nationally, a third of people over the age of 16 have received their second vaccine dose.

The data also reveals an area by area variation in Hartlepool for those who had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

The data shows 67% of those aged over 16 have had one jab.

The areas with the highest coverage were Fens, Elwick and Hart, with 79.6% of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

This was followed by Wooler Road with 75.6% and and Seaton Carew with 74.9%.

The areas with the lowest coverage were Harbour and Victoria (51.8%), Old Town and Grange (55.2%) and Foggy Furze (57.8%).

Nationally, 15 million people had received a second dose of the jab by May 9.

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

The figures show 866 out of 1,011 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by May 9 – meaning 14% have not had a jab.

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