A third of people in Epping Forest have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

NHS data shows 37,805 people had received a vaccine jab by February 28 ­– equating to 35 per cent of those aged 16 and over, according to the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those vaccinated, 24,199 were aged 65 or over – 93 per cent of the age group.

It means 13,606 people aged between 16 and 64 have received a first dose of the vaccine.

The data also reveals variation in coverage between different areas across Epping Forest.

The proportion of residents prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged over 65, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.

Areas with the highest coverage:

1) Chigwell, with 43.5 per cent of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

2) Roydon, Lower Nazeing and Epping Green, 41.2 per cent

3) Theydon Bois and Abridge, 39.1 per cent

Areas with the lowest coverage:

1) Loughton East, 26 per cent

2) Loughton South, 28.7 per cent

3) Waltham Abbey South, 31.2 per cent

Across England, 17.2 million people had received their first dose of a vaccine by February 28, covering 38 per cent of the population aged 16 and over.

That includes 9.7 million people aged 65 and over – 94 per cent of the age group.

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

This week nearly two million people aged 60 to 63 were sent letters inviting them to book a coronavirus jab.

It follows the NHS writing to almost 450,000 people aged 64 last week over getting a first dose, as well as 600,000 at-risk individuals who have recently been asked to shield.

The Government has pledged to offer vaccinations to everyone aged over 50 by the end of April.

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