60 per cent of Devon adults receive covid jabs

638k doses dished out

Nearly two-thirds of a million covid vaccine doses have been administered in Devon

By Sunday 21 March, 593,532 first doses were in the total of 638,544 vaccines administered in the county, meaning 60 per cent of adults are now at least partially immune to coronavirus. 

In East Devon and West Devon, more than two thirds of all adults have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Devon's two cities have lowest levels of penetration: Plymouth (53 per cent) and Exeter (48 per cent), said to be due in part to their younger populations.

Across the county 45,012 people, 4.5 per cent of adults, have also had their second dose.

Of the adult population, 67 per cent in East Devon, 48 per cent in Exeter, 61 per cent in Mid Devon, 66 per cent in North Devon, 53 per cent in Plymouth, 66 per cent in each of the South Hams, Teignbridge and Torbay, 64 per cent in Torridge, and 67 per cent in West Devon, have had one dose. 

Figures will continue to rise over the next week, but for the first weeks of April, several vaccination centres will temporarily close following delays importing the vaccines into the UK. The centre at Westpoint is closing from 1 to 11 April because of lack of supply.

Dr Paul Johnson, clinical chairman of the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said the vaccine roll-out had been phenomenal but that first injections were being paused due to supply issues, but that there were no issues around second doses which continue to be administered from 12 April.

He added: “The supply constraints mean fewer vaccinations will be happening in April, but the good news is we have thousands of spaces for vaccinations in Devon before the end of the month. If you are over 50 and you haven’t had the jab yet, now is the time to book a space before the supply issues kick in.”

“We appreciate that these groups include people who are busy working, but it is definitely worth taking half an hour out of your day to get the protection it affords.

“We have enough vaccine for everyone who is due a second dose to get it. I know some people are concerned about safety or availability but I can assure people that it’s safe and it’s really important that they get that second dose and that we will have it available.”