Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has welcomed government figures that show the county has the best vaccination rate in the country for over 70s.

Government figures show that 99.8% of over-70s have taken up the vaccine in Leicestershire and Rutland, the highest in England.

Furthermore, a quarter of a million people have received a first vaccination in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

And as of Sunday afternoon (22/2/21), 17,582,121 people in the United Kingdom have received their

first vaccination – one in three UK adults.

In addition, all UK adults will be offered a vaccine by the end of July.

The MP added to the comments she posted on social media at the weekend, as previously reported by Nub News.

Mrs Kearns said today: "Vaccines are our route out of lockdown, and I'm delighted that Leicestershire and Rutland are leading the country in vaccine uptake.

"A quarter of a million people have received their first vaccine in Leicestershire and Rutland and nowhere in the country has higher uptake of the vaccine amongst over 70s, so it's clear that our communities are very much doing their part.

"Almost all of the most at-risk have been vaccinated, and with the Government's announcement that all UK adults will be offered a first dose by July, we can't let this progress go to waste.

"If you receive a call or text offering a vaccine, this is a way for you to play your part in defeating this terrible virus.

"The UK is leading the world in vaccines, from development through to production and distribution."

She continued: "We have seen incredible successes to date, with over 17.5m adults having received their first dose of the vaccine so far.

"Today the Prime Minister will set out our route out of

lockdown. I am determined that we can get our children back in school, come together again as communities as quickly as possible, re-open hospitality and get our economy and businesses booming again.

"Thank you to every single person who has stepped forward to be vaccinated and to all those running, administering and volunteering in, the vaccine programme."