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Vaccinations in Kent drop as Covid-19 cases continue to fall

The number of jabs in Kent has dropped by 54% week-on-week.

But vaccinations have broken the million mark, with a total of 1,042,455 first and second doses administered across the county since the start of the programme in December.

The number of vaccines given this week fell by 50%
The number of vaccines given this week fell by 50%

On the week ending March 28, 121,745 vaccinations were administered compared to just 55,969 on the week ending April 4.

This coincided with a move to prioritise vulnerable groups who now need their second dose - as 95% of all Kent over-75s have had their first dose.

On the week ending March 28, 57% of vaccinations were first doses and 43% were second - compared to April 4 numbers showing 35% were first doses and 65% were second doses.

So far, Folkestone, Dover and Thanet have the most vaccinated populations with more than two thirds of adults having had their first dose. Dartford has the least vaccinated population, with 57%.

Overall, 62% of people in Kent have had their first jab - standing slightly above England's 59%.

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This drop in vaccine delivery has coincided with recent vaccine shortages across the UK following temporary delivery delays from India.

Recent updates regarding the safety of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for under 30s came after the most recent data.

Despite GPs and scientists insisting that blood clots are 'incredibly rare' and younger demographics being offered alternative vaccine brands, the spread of the story has left many feeling apprehensive.

Meanwhile a pop up vaccine centre will be set up in The East Malling Centre after it was found around 1,000 people who are at higher risk from the virus are yet to have their first injection in East Malling, West Malling and Larkfield.

On the bright side, cases are seeing a drop throughout Kent and Medway, falling by 36.4% week-on-week to 395 cases on the week ending April 3.

Source: Public Health England
Source: Public Health England

The overall infection rate stands at 21.2, which is lower then the goal of 25 set for when restrictions are safe ease by Kent public health director, Andrew Scott-Clark.

This is just in time for restrictions to loosen significantly on Monday, April 12, when non-essential shops and services will be allowed to reopen with safety measures in place.

Folkestone and Hythe - which has also led the vaccine race throughout - has a staggeringly low infection rate of 2.7 with only three cases being recorded in the last week.

Dartford - which again has consistently performed worse than average - lags behind the rest of the county with the infection rate standing at 41.7.

But only Gravesham saw a slight increase in the last week of 5.6% with just one additional case on the previous week being recorded.

To read more about last week's Covid-19 case statistics, click here.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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