Vaccinations in Bedford: Cauldwell, Queen's Park and Castle lagging behind

More than half of people in Bedford have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

NHS data shows 73,395 people had received both jabs by June 6 – 54 per cent of those aged 16 and over, based on the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those to have received both jabs, 69,703 were aged 30 and over – 63 per cent of the age group.

It means 3,692 people aged between 16 to 29 have received both doses.

Earlier, Bedford Today revealed walk-in vaccinations would be avaulale for anyone aged 18 and over in Bedford on Saturday

The NHS vaccine data also reveals variation in coverage for residents who had received at least one dose between different areas across Bedford.

Across Bedford, 79 per cent of those aged 16 and over have had one jab.

AREAS WITH THE HIGHEST COVERAGE:

1) Wootton and Stewartby, with 97.4 per cent of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

2) Bromham and Biddenham, 92.6 per cent

3) Riseley and Sharnbrook, 90.2 per cent

AREAS WITH THE LOWEST COVERAGE:

1) Cauldwell, 62 per cent

2) Queens Park, 63 per cent

3) Castle and Kingsway, 66.7 per cent

Across England, 23.6 million people had received a second dose of the jab by June 6 – 52 per cent of the population aged over 16 and over.

That includes 22.3 million people aged 30 and over – 62 per cent of the age group.

In total, 33.6 million people had received at least one dose of a vaccine by the same date, covering 74 per cent of people over 16.

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

The figures show 1557 out of 1937 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by June 6 – meaning 20 per cent have not had a jab.

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