Almost 400,000 people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have had their first vaccine dose at the last count – with some age groups recording 100 per cent take-up.

In total – 419,467 injections have been given – 399,937 of them were first doses. 

The numbers show there were 34,492 injections were given across the city, county and Rutland between March 7 and March 14. The lowest seven-day total in weeks.

But, take-up has been high, figures show that 100 per cent of 75-79-year-olds have had the jab (the number who have received their first dose exceeds the latest official estimate of the population from the ONS for this group). 

Other age groups that have been eligible for jabs for some time also show high numbers with 96.4 per cent of those aged 80 or older having had a jab and 98.9 per cent of 70-74-year-olds rolling up their sleeve.

The number of people who have received their first dose by age group is:

Over 80s: 50,903

75-79: 38,128

70-74: 52,628

65-69: 51,294

60-64:52,665

55-59: 39,324

Under 55: 114,995 (includes clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers)

People aged 50 and over have been invited to book their appointments this week with the rollout now reaching the last of the nine priority groups. 

Concerns about supply issues will mean that the number of people getting their first doses will slow over the next couple of weeks as the effort to give all those who need them a second dose steps up. 

There was concern that some patients might refuse the Astra-Zeneca jab here in the UK after a number of European countries paused giving it after unproven links to blood clots.

But Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries which will restart their rollout of the jab today after EU regulators gave the go-ahead.

Boris Johnson  has now had his first dose today and said hehad the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine.

The prime minister was himself treated in intensive care for Covid-19 in April 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic.

"The way to ensure lockdown easing happens is to get that jab when your turn comes, so let's get the jab done," he said at a Downing Street briefing.

People over 50 the region can book their appointment now, click here for information.