MORE than 45,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered in Somerset.

The figures, which are released weekly, show that 17,626 people under 80 have had their first vaccine and 1,480 have had their second.

Of those over 80, 21,680 people have had their first jab and 4,927 have had their second.

This brings the total number of doses to 45, 713.

In the UK, more than half of those over 80 and care home residents have received a vaccine.

In the South West, 467,170 doses have been given to 415,087 people.

Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary, has praised the acceleration of the vaccine roll-out.

“Vaccines are the way out of the pandemic and this historic roll-out will cover every corner of the country, " he said.

“Community pharmacists have been phenomenal and will have a pivotal role to play in the continued expansion of the programme.

“Through the UK vaccine delivery plan, over 4 million people have already received their jab.

“From hospitals to pharmacies, sports clubs to places of worship – we’re making sure the vaccine is as accessible as possible.

“In the meantime, it is vital everyone continues to play their part in this national effort by staying at home to protect the NHS.”

The Government is opening new vaccination sites every day, so everyone is within 10 miles of a centre.

Pharmacies in Somerset joined the programme yesterday.

READ MORE: Two Somerset pharmacies set to administer vaccine

So far, more than 5 million vaccinations have been administered to 4.6 million people – the fourth highest figure per capita in the world behind only Bahrain, the UAE and Israel.