MORE than half the residents in Allerdale have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, new figures have revealed.

NHS data showed that 41,857 people had received a vaccine jab by March 14 – 51 per cent of those aged 16 and over.

Of those vaccinated, 31,836 were aged 55 or over – 83 per cent of the age group. It means 10,021 people aged between 16 and 54 have received a first dose of the vaccine.

Workington MP Mark Jenkinson has been volunteering at vaccine centres, and was delighted with the news.

He said: “They’re going great guns. It’s great. Everybody is so pleased to be getting the vaccine.

“There are great local volunteers, it’s a great experience. I see these people – they’re getting younger and younger, which is a good indication that we’re flying through.”

Mr Jenkinson also addressed the news of a future vaccine shortage, which could see the rate of vaccinations across the UK slow down.

He continued: “What I would say is we’ve ramped up massively. Three or four weeks ago 7,000 people a week were being vaccinated, this week it’s 27,000. It’s a big, big ramp up.

“We were way ahead so we have some leeway. That’s disappointing if you haven’t had your vaccine yet, but we’re still on target and that’s the main thing.”

East Cockermouth and Buttermere has vaccinated the highest proportion of residents in Allerdale with 59.3 per cent, while Workington West has the lowest with 48.7 per cent.

That compares to the national level of 45 per cent of the population aged 16 and over.

Other areas of Cumbria are also ahead of the national average.

Forty-eight per cent of over-16s in Carlisle have received their first dose, a total of 43,230 by March 14.

The highest area in the city was Belah, where 59 per cent of people had been given their first dose. Carlisle Central had seen the lowest, with 38.8 per cent.

In Copeland, 46 per cent of those aged 16 and over have had their first jab, a total of 26,071.

Millom and Duddon Valley has seen the highest percentage of vaccinations in the borough with 50.8 per cent, while Mirehouse, Kells and Woodhouse were the lowest with 42.7 per cent.

The proportion of residents prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged over 55, is a factor that could affect vaccine coverage.