83,000 in Sunderland get both virus jabs

NHS data shows 83,338 people had received both jabs by May 9 – 36% of those aged 16 and over.

Of those to have received both jabs, 74,588 were over 40 – 51% of the age group – and 8,750 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 Sunderland for those who had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

The data shows 69% of those aged 16 and over have had one jab.

The area with the highest coverage was Herrington and Doxford, with 80.8% of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

Next came Seaburn with 80.5%, followed by Hetton-le-Hole North on 77.3%.

The areas with the lowest coverage were Sunderland Central and Deptford (42.4%), Millfield (52.4%) and Barnes Park (60.5%).

Nationally, 15 million people had received a second dose of the jab by May 9 – 33% of the population aged over 16.

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

The figures show 1,938 out of 2,226 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by May 9 – meaning 13% have not had a jab.

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