More than a third of people in Southend have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

NHS data shows 55,195 people had received a vaccine jab by February 28 ­– equating to 37% of those aged 16 and over, according to the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those vaccinated, 32,121 were aged 65 or over – 90% of the age group.

It means 23,074 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 Southend.

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) Thorpe Bay, with 46.6% of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

2) Eastwood Park, 45.4%

3) Belfairs, 44.5%

Areas with the lowest coverage:

1) Kursaal, 29.2%

2) Leigh, 29.6%

3) Westborough, 30.3%

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

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

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

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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.