MORE than 1.4 million coronavirus vaccines have been administered across Dorset - one year after an English NHS patient became the first person in the world to receive a Covid-19 jab.

It has been a year to the day since 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person to get the Pfizer jab on December 8, 2020, after its approval in the UK.

The vaccine was administered at University Hospital Coventry, and marked the start of a historic world-wide mass vaccination programme.

Since then 1,471,837 jabs have been administered across Dorset with more than 600,000 people aged 12 and over receiving their first dose county wide.

That's at least 80 per cent of all people in that age group, based on the number of people on the National Immunisation Management Service.

READ MORE: Covid-19 booster in Dorset: Everything you need to know

Across the UK, 51 million people have had their first jab and more than 46 million have received a second dose.

The NHS launched its booster jab campaign in September, after data showed falling levels of protection from symptomatic disease and hospital admission six months after people have had their second jab.

Data shows 254,250 people across Dorset had received their booster jab or third dose of the coronavirus vaccine by December 7.

'You can’t turn on the TV or pick up a paper without the vaccination programme being mentioned'

Local GP and clinical lead for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Dorset, Dr Andy Rutland said: “You can’t turn on the TV or pick up a paper without the vaccination programme being mentioned so it is sometimes hard to believe it was only a year ago that the first dose was delivered.

Bournemouth Echo: Dr Andy RutlandDr Andy Rutland

“The fact that since then we have averaged around 3,800 jabs per day / seven days a week is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved throughout the county, from those delivering the jabs through to those involved in planning and volunteering to ensure things go smoothly.

“All this work has been undertaken in addition to the provision of our normal services, often in evenings and at weekends after a full working week.

“The challenge is now supporting the delivery of booster doses in addition to ensuring that those yet to come forward for their first doses are able to make a fully informed choice.

READ MORE: Covid booster jab for over 40s three months after second vaccine

“As the healthcare workforce steps up again, with our volunteers and returning vaccinators I would encourage anybody who would like to be involved to make contact with their local surgery or visit joinourdorset.nhs.uk/vaccinators/.

“I would like to thank everyone who has taken part and those who have accepted the offer of a vaccination. The evidence is overwhelming that the best way of avoiding becoming seriously ill with Covid and protecting others is by being fully vaccinated.”