Nearly a quarter of a million Covid jabs have been given out in south Essex, new figures show. 

Weekly figures released by NHS England today show more than nine in ten people aged 65 and over have now had at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine in south Essex. 

The Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commisioning Group is leading the way in the region having given a first jab to 93 per cent of its 65's and over population. 

Around 92 per cent of 65's and over have had their first dose in Basildon and Brentwood, 90.2 per cent in Southend, and 91.9 per cent in Thurrock. 

An estimated 9,000 people across south Essex have meanwhile had both doses of the vaccine. 

Here is a breakdown of the numbers for each area as of February 28:

NHS Basildon and Brentwood CCG

Number of people who have had first dose:

  • 65’s and over - 44,084
  • Under 65’s – 27,240

Number of people who have had second dose:

  • 65’s and over – 2,373
  • Under 65’s – 523

Total number of vaccines administered - 74,220

NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG

Number of people who have had first dose:

  • 65’s and over - 40,181
  • Under 65’s – 2,871

Number of people who have had second dose:

  • 65’s and over – 2,077
  • Under 65’s – 599

Total number of vaccines administered – 63,728

NHS Southend CCG

Number of people who have had first dose:

  • 65’s and over - 32,121
  • Under 65’s – 23, 074

Number of people who have had second dose:

  • 65’s and over – 1,930
  • Under 65’s – 608

Total number of vaccines administered – 57,733

NHS Thurrock CCG

Number of people who have had first dose:

  • 65’s and over - 22,106
  • Under 65’s – 16,828

Number of people who have had second dose:

  • 65’s and over – 1,050
  • Under 65’s – 233

Total number of vaccines administered – 40,217

The vaccine programme will continue to be determinded by age, with the 50-60s next in line for a jab once all over 60s have been given one. 

Despite the encouraging data, more than four in 10 over-80s who have received a coronavirus vaccine appear to have broken the rules by meeting up with someone indoors, figures suggest.

Some 43 per cent of elderly people surveyed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said they had met someone other than a personal care support worker, member of their household or support bubble indoors since being vaccinated.

And 41 per cent of over-80s vaccinated in the previous three weeks said they had done so, “appearing to break lockdown regulations”, according to the ONS.

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Under rules introduced in England at the start of January, family or friends cannot meet socially indoors unless they are in the same household or support bubble.

The ONS said a large proportion of over-80s will have been vaccinated after the latest lockdown was imposed and therefore “would have been breaking lockdown regulations by meeting these groups socially”.

Downing Street said it is important people continue to follow the rules.

Asked if the elderly are behaving irresponsibly, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We are asking everybody to continue to follow the rules and guidelines.”