Just under 300,000 people in Cornwall and 600,000 people in Devon have had their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The statistics, which provide the position as of March 21, show that in Cornwall, 313,167 vaccinations have been delivered, with 290,859 of them being first doses, while in Devon there have been 638,544 vaccines delivered, with 593,532 of them being the first dose.

In Cornwall, 62.4 per cent of adults have had their first dose, and across Devon, 59.4 per cent have been vaccinated once. These figures will have risen in the most recent days as it shows the position as of Sunday.

And in East Devon and West Devon, more than two thirds of all adults have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, with everyone in the county over the 60 per cent mark except for Plymouth (53.4 per cent) and Exeter (47.9 per cent) – in part due to their younger populations.

In the Isles of Scilly, more than 80 per cent of adults have had their first dose.

Of the total population of Devon, 45,012 people, 4.5 per cent of adults, have also had their second dose, with 22,308 in Cornwall, 4.8 per cent of adults.

Of the adult population, 62.8 per cent in Cornwall, 67.4 per cent in East Devon, 47.9 per cent in Exeter, 81.2 per cent in the Isles of Scilly, 61.1 per cent in Mid Devon, 63.7 per cent in North Devon, 53.4 per cent in Plymouth, 65.6 per cent in South Hams, 65.9 per cent in Teignbridge, 65.9 per cent in Torbay, 64.4 per cent in Torridge, and 67.3 per cent in West Devon, have had one dose. These figures are as of March 21 and so will have risen in recent days.

Figures will continue to rise over the next week, but for the first weeks of April, several vaccination centres will temporarily close next month following delays importing the coronavirus vaccine into the UK.

NHS Kernow confirmed there will be a pause to vaccine appointments at Stithians and Wadebridge, while the centre at Westpoint near Exeter would close between April 1 and 11 due to a lack of supply for first doses.

Dr Paul Johnson, clinical chairman of the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said the vaccine roll-out had been phenomenal but that first injections were being paused due to supply issues, but that there were no issues around second doses which continue to be administered from April 12.

He added: “The supply constraints mean fewer vaccinations will be happening in April, but the good news is we have thousands of spaces for vaccinations in Devon before the end of the month.

“If you are over 50 and you haven’t had the jab yet, now is the time to book a space before the supply issues kick in.”

“We appreciate that these groups include people who are busy working, but it is definitely worth taking half an hour out of your day to get the protection it affords.

“We have enough vaccine for everyone who is due a second dose to get it. I know some people are concerned about safety or availability but I can assure people that it’s safe and it’s really important that they get that second dose and that we will have it available.”

In Cornwall as a whole, totals show that the number of people vaccinated with at least one dose are: 35,779 in the over 80s age group; 28,612 in the age 75-79 age group, 38,854 in the 70-74 age group; 35,290 in the 65-69 age group; 36,797 in the 60-64 age group; 36,818 in the 55-59 age group; 28,783 in the 50-54 age group; and 48,394 in the under 50 age group.

By RICHARD WHITEHOUSE, Local Democracy Reporter