AROUND five per cent of Cheshire East residents have already had their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccination.

With the NHS aiming to vaccinate everyone in the top four priority groups by the middle of February, Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran says the programme locally "is going well".

He said: "I estimate that about five per cent of the population of Cheshire East have already been vaccinated. That's the first dose of a vaccine, either Astra-Zeneca or Pfizer.

"It is very early days though, but it's good to see comments from people who have received the vaccine. The aim is everyone in the top four priority groups by the middle of February — that's everyone over 70, all frontline NHS and care staff, and all those who are clinically extremely vulnerable."

In the Crewe area vaccinations are taking place at Leighton Hospital and among several GP practices, some of whom are using the vaccination hub at the Appollo Buckingham Health Science Campus, formerly the MMU complex.

Cllr Corcoran warned: "The vaccine is not effective for several weeks after you have received the first dose, and is not full effective until the week after the second dose, so even if you have had the vaccine, you must still stay at home."

Earlier this week, the NHS Accountable Officer overseeing the vaccine roll-out in Cheshire said she was confident of meeting the national targets laid out be government.

Clare Watson said: "We have got three targets nationally. Although they are ambitious, they are quite helpful to have.

"By the end of January all care home residents and frontline care workers have to have their first vaccine. We are on track with that, we will meet that target.

"The other target is February 14 which is the top four priority groups being offered their vaccination.

"We are going through all these lists and we are still confident that we can achieve our target."

Ms Watson added that the NHS did not have "accurate data" on the numbers of people taking up the vaccine in Cheshire, but it would be 'coming soon'.