Truro and Falmouth's Member of Parliament Cherilyn Mackrory has praised the acceleration of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out – as the latest data released shows more than 5 million jabs have been administered across the UK.

In the South West, a total of 467,170 doses have been given to 415,087 people as part of the government's plan to vaccinate the top four priority groups by mid-February.

The data covers seven health areas across the region, known as Integrated Care Systems (ICS) or Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STP).

So far, a total of 98,234 doses have been administered in Devon, 79,743 in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, 68,693 in Dorset, 65,026 in Gloucestershire, 63,293 in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, 46,468 in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and 45,713 in Somerset.

So far, more than 5 million vaccinations have been administered to 4.6 million people – the fourth-highest figure per capita in the world behind only Bahrain, the UAE and Israel.

Only two countries have administered more doses than the UK – China and the USA.

The government's vaccine delivery plan is the biggest such programme in British history.

It sets out how the government aims to administer 2 million doses a week by the end of January, as well as offering vaccines to every elderly care home resident by the end of the month.

So far, more than half of those over 80 and care home residents have received a vaccine.

On top of this, the government is opening new vaccination sites every day to ensure everyone is within 10 miles of such a centre.

A total of 65 pharmacy sites are joining the programme this week and early next week, with more to come.

Cherilyn said:

"This is fantastic news and I pay tribute to all involved in the planning and administering of this vital vaccine across Truro and Falmouth.

"These figures will only accelerate as more vaccines are approved for use and become available and the processes used become more experienced.

"While we are making good progress with the priority groups so far, I must reiterate the need for everyone to continue to follow the latest rules and stay safe, in order to crack down on COVID-19, protect our NHS and save lives."

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