MORE than 25 per cent of staff across the conurbation's main NHS hospitals have received their first coronavirus vaccination jabs.

University Hospitals Dorset, which runs Royal Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole hospitals, confirmed that it had surpassed the quarter of workers mark.

While the exact number of jabs completed each day varies for several reasons, the vaccination programme is continuing at pace.

As reported, Royal Bournemouth Hospital started delivering Covid-19 vaccines clinics in the week commencing December 28, 2020, the clinics started at Poole Hospital on Monday, January 11.

Alyson O’Donnell, chief medical director at University Hospitals Dorset, said: “We’re delighted to now be rolling out the Covid vaccine at both Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. 

“Offering the vaccine to staff at both sites will help us protect our staff who have been working incredibly hard to help protect patients and their colleagues.

“More than 25 per cent of UHD staff have already been vaccinated and the vaccination programme will continue over the coming weeks and months. 

“A huge amount of work has gone into setting up the vaccination programme very quickly and I’d like to thank everyone involved. 

“Although the vaccine is a crucial part of protecting our staff and the wider community, it is essential that everyone continues to follow the public health measures at a time where the NHS is the busiest it has ever been.”

The trust's work has included supporting the effort to vaccinate the conurbation's care home residents and staff in the top priority group, while frontline health and social care workers are in the second priority group alongside those aged over 80.