Nearly two-thirds of people in Wirral have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

NHS data shows 171,249 people had received a vaccine jab by April 4 – equating to 65% of those aged 16 and over, according to the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those vaccinated, 129,996 were aged 50 or over – 94% of the age group.

It means 41,253 people aged between 16 and 49 have received a first dose of the vaccine.

The data also reveals variation in coverage between different areas across Wirral.

The proportion of residents prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged over 50, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.

Areas with the highest coverage:

  1. Gayton & Lower Heswall, with 77.1% of people aged 16 and over given their first dose
  2. Caldy & Newton, 73.7%
  3. Poulton, Raby Mere & Thornton Hough, 73.3%

Areas with the lowest coverage:

  1. Seacombe, 54.4%
  2. Birkenhead South, 54.5%
  3. Bidston Hill, 54.7%.

Across England, 26.6 million people had received their first dose of a vaccine by April 4, covering 58% of the population aged 16 and over.

That includes 19.8 million people aged 50 and over – 94% of the age group.

The figures also show that 4.3 million people have had a second dose of the jab.

A small number of people are not included due to their age being unknown.