More than one million people in Kent have now had the first dose of a Covid vaccine.

The vaccination programme landmark was reached this week and the total number to have had at least one jab now stands at 1,014,033.

As the roll-out continues, second doses increased by 4% on the week ending May 16 and first doses by 2% - up by 103,162.

Of these, 33,238 were first doses and 69,924 were second. The combined total of vaccinations given out in the county since the programme began is now 1,593,304.

Across Kent, 70% of residents have now received their first dose and 40% their second.

The area with the most residents having had their first dose is Thanet where 76% are vaccinated. Canterbury has the least at 64%.

This week, records show no one over 80 tested positive for Covid-19 with 90% of that age group having been fully vaccinated.

Herne Bay GP Dr Jeremy Carter told KentOnline: “The real-world data is confirming that these vaccines are really effective.

"The people becoming infected tend to be those who haven’t been vaccinated.

"We have been asked to accelerate second doses from 11 weeks down to an eight-week interval because of the Indian variant.

“Over the weekend we will run a catch-up programme with nearly 3,000 second doses.”

The leap in first dose vaccinations has been down to over 30s flocking to get vaccinated after the national vaccination booking service was opened up to people aged 38 and 39 last week.

People aged 36 and 37 are now being invited to get their jabs.

Covid-19 cases continue to drop by 23.3% this week, bringing the overall infection rate in Kent down to 9.03 - a much steeper drop than last week's 5%.

Only three areas of the county have an infection rate higher than 10 – Swale (12.7), Canterbury (19.3) and Thanet (16.2).

Just 168 cases were recorded in the last week, with just under half of them coming from the three areas with the highest infection rates.

The area with the lowest infection rate is currently Sevenoaks at 3.3.

Only two deaths have been recorded in Kent and Medway since the beginning of May.

With cases remaining low, life has been allowed to return slightly closer to normal as social contact restrictions eased on May 17 and hospitality has been allowed to reopen.

If cases remain low, then the country looks on track to remove all social limits by June 21.

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