AROUND 59,000 people registered with a Bury GP have now been vaccinated against coronavirus.

The latest figures mean that one third of the eligible population (182,100) have been given at least one of the two jabs necessary to protect against the potentially fatal illness.

Bury’s jabs are being carried out by medical staff at four vaccination centres run by the Primary Care Network: the Elizabethan Suite in Bury, Bealey’s in Radcliffe, Ramsbottom Civic Hall, and Prestwich Walk-in Centre.

Bury’s vaccination figures now also include local residents who are vaccinated at hospital and mass vaccination centres such as the Etihad.

The target of vaccinating everyone aged 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable people over 16 by February 15 was reached with around 39,400 people receiving the vaccination.

By 15 April it is hoped that everyone aged 50 and over and clinically vulnerable people over 16 - a further 72,700 people - will be vaccinated.

The remaining 70,000 people, which includes all adults over 18 and clinically vulnerable people aged 16 and 17, should be vaccinated by the end of July.

Frontline health and social care staff are also being vaccinated as priority groups.

A spokesperson for Bury Council said: "Vaccinations are given to people in the priority order set by the Government

"Vaccination is by invitation only and you will be contacted when it is your turn. Depending on the priority group you are in, you may be contacted by your GP practice (by letter, phone or text message which will include a link to book an appointment) or you may receive a letter from the NHS.

"The second dose of the vaccine is given around 12 weeks after the first dose, and you will be contacted to book an appointment when the time is right. If you haven’t been contacted by week 11, please contact your GP practice.

"You must still follow the Covid-safe rules even if you have been vaccinated – it takes several weeks for the vaccine to work, and you may still be able to catch the virus and pass it on."

Advice and support on all matters related to coronavirus can be found on the council’s website: www.bury.gov.uk