THE Isle of Wight and Hampshire region is the fourth highest in England for the number of Covid vaccines given out.

Although there is no specific Isle of Wight breakdown as yet, official figures show that between the Island and Hampshire, 166,417 jabs have been administered.

The region is only behind Cumbria and North East (271,536), Cheshire and Merseyside (201,220) and Greater Manchester (187,947).

Across the region, 72,178 under 80s and 74,107 over 80s have had their first vaccine.

Second doses have started to be administered, with 2,970 under 80s and 17,162 over 80s already vaccinated.

All the care home residents in Newport had their first vaccines by Jan 7, according to chair of the IW Clinical Commissioning Group Michele Legg, who sent a Tweet out about it.

It all started on the IW on December 15 when World War Two veteran Kenneth Killeen, 98, from Newport, became the first person to have the jab.

In the days leading up to Christmas, vaccination centres opened up its doors to hundreds of invited patients.

There are currently vaccination centres in Shanklin, Westridge, the West Wight and Carisbrooke, with a hub at the hospital and a new centre due to open at Newport's Riverside Centre.

The County Press understands this could now be set for the first week of February.

Volunteers are sought to help out at the Riverside Centre, when the vaccine programme is rolled out there.

MP Bob Seely said: "I would like say thank you to those organising and administering the vaccines at the four surgeries as they are doing an invaluable job.

"Their quick action and efficiency in booking people in is lifesaving work."