NEARLY 300,000 people across Dorset have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine.

NHS data shows 292,315 people had received both jabs by May 16.

Of those to have received both jabs, 264,518 were aged 40 and over.

And 27,797 people aged between 16 and 39 have received both doses.

The figures mean 42 per cent of people in the BCP Council area are fully vaccinated along with 49 per cent in the Dorset Council area.

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

Areas with the highest coverage of those aged 16 and over who have received their first dose include St Leonard's (87 per cent), West Highcliffe (86.8 per cent), Mudeford (86.1 per cent) and Highcliffe and Walkford (85.7 per cent).

Areas with the lowest coverage include Central Bournemouth (42.4 per cent), East Cliff (44 per cent) and Winton (51.2 per cent).

Across England, 17.1 million people had received a second dose of the jab by May 16 – 38 per cent of the population aged over 16 and over.

That includes 15.1 million people aged 40 and over – 53 per cent of the age group.

In total, 30.4 million people had received at least one dose of a vaccine by the same date, covering 67 per cent of people over 16.

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

The figures show 7,961 out of 9,435 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by May 16 .

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