Coronavirus: Three-quarters of 80s and over receive vaccine

Latest NHS data shows 103,329 people had been given their first jab by January 24, as the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history continues.

Of those, 46,270 were aged 80 or over ­– equating to 76 per cent of the population in that age group.

The figures cover people vaccinated in the Sussex and East Surrey Health and Care Partnership area ­– a collaboration between local NHS services and councils aimed at improving health care.

READ MORE >> Covid-19: Hundreds queue to be vaccinated at Brighton Centre

The figures come just days after hundreds of people lined the Brighton Centre as they became some of the first in the city to use the mass vaccination site.

A Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "We understand that people are keen to get their vaccination and in many cases are getting to the Brighton Centre early for their appointment, but please do not arrive more than five minutes before your allocated time.

“Our dedicated team of vaccinators is not able to see you any earlier.

“Our priority is keeping you and our staff and volunteers safe, so to make sure that there is enough space inside the Brighton Centre to maintain social distancing, you will have to wait outside until your appointment time."

Across England, 2,261,407 people aged 80 and over have received their first dose of the vaccine, covering 80 per cent of the age group.

Of those, 46,270 were aged 80 or over ­– equating to 76 per cent of the population in that age group

However, the dosage figure includes a small number with registered addresses in Scotland or Wales.

The data also shows 57,059 people aged between 16 and 79 across Sussex and East Surrey have received a first vaccination dose.

It means 12 per cent of people aged 16 and over living in the area have received their first jab.