MORE than 90 per cent of the over-70s population in South Lakeland have received the Covid-19 vaccination.

NHS England has revealed that 21,315 people aged 70 and over in South Lakeland (93.5 per cent) which includes Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside, Grange and Ulverston, have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

In Barrow and Furness, 10,406 people aged 70 and over have also received their first vaccination doses – which is an estimated 97.5 per cent.

NHS data revealed that more than half a million patients in South Cumbria and Lancashire have now received the vaccine since the roll out began in December.

Vaccines are being delivered at hospital hubs, GP-led vaccination centres, pharmacy-led vaccination centres, mass vaccination sites, care homes and to housebound residents across the area.

Jane Scattergood, COVID-19 vaccination director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said: “I’m so proud of NHS staff, volunteers and other partners across Lancashire and South Cumbria who have done an incredible job so far delivering the largest vaccination drive in our history, at the same time as dealing with high levels of COVID-19 hospital patients.

“The response we have seen from local people in doing their bit to attend appointments and come forward to have the vaccine has been brilliant and as such we have vaccinated more than half a million people to date.

“To the small proportion of people who have been invited but not come forward yet, I would urge you to do so as quickly as possible. Vaccines are the best weapon we have in the fight against coronavirus, and local services are going to great lengths to ensure that local people can get this protection in a safe and convenient place.

“And to the wider public, please do continue to play your part. That means unless you are in the groups being invited now, please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you when it is the right time. When we do contact you, please attend your appointment at exactly the time you’re asked to; and whether you have had your vaccine or not, please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives."

Anyone aged 64 and over who has not been vaccinated is now being urged to respond to their recent invitation to get their life-saving coronavirus vaccine.