'Incredible' six-month milestone for Covid jab in Devon

The efforts of the staff and volunteers have been hailed as 'incredible' as Devon's vaccination programme marks its six-month milestone.

More than 1.3 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been given locally in the six months since 81-year-old Kathleen Viney became the first person to have the vaccination in Devon.

Between 8 December and 30 May, 769,059 people in Devon received a first vaccine dose and 553,204 second doses have been given as part of the fastest vaccination programme in British history.

The milestone comes in the week that people aged 25 to 29 became eligible to book their vaccination, along with other eligible groups; including frontline health and care workers and people at higher risk from Covid-19.

Director of Mass Vaccination, Flu and Testing at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Sue Wilkins said: "It's incredible to think that in only six months we have managed to set up the vaccination programme here, give three quarters of adults in Devon their first dose and half the population their second.

"So many people have worked so hard to make this happen and we are really very proud of all that the staff and volunteers have achieved. It's important that we all book and attend both appointments when we're eligible to get the best protection from Covid-19 variants."

Research by Public Health England found that two vaccine doses significantly increased protection against the Delta (previously known as Indian) and Alpha (Kent) variants.

Current advice on Covid-19 vaccinations is that people aged under 40 and pregnant women should have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Consequently, vaccination centres in Devon are now using Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for all first doses.

Appointments can be booked online or by calling 119. Please ensure you have confirmed your booking and cancel it if you are unable to attend.