Nearly half of people in Southend have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, latest figures show.

NHS data has revealed 65,895 people had received their first jab by March 14 – equating to 45 per cent of adults in Southend, according to the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those vaccinated, 45,466 were aged 55 or over – 79 per cent of the age group.

It means 20,429 people aged between 16 and 54 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 55, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.

Areas with the highest coverage:

1) Eastwood Park - 52.8%

2) Thorpe Bay - 52.6%

3) Belfairs - 52%

Areas with the lowest coverage:

1) Leigh - 35.7%

2) Kursaal - 36.5%

3) Westborough - 37.4%

Across England, 20.7 million people had received their first dose of a vaccine by March 14, covering 45% of the population aged 16 and over.

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That includes 14.5 million people aged 55 and over – 85% of the age group.

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

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