MORE than three quarters of people in Colchester have now received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

The latest data, released yesterday, shows 77 per cent of people in the borough have had a second dose.

In total 146,328 people have had a first dose and 133,414 people have had a second dose.

It also shows 49,452 people in Colchester have had a third dose or booster jab - equivalent to 28.5 per cent of the population.

For the first time the data shows how many children have received a first dose of the vaccine.

In Colchester 4,753 people aged 12 to 15 have had the vaccine and 3,125 people aged 16 to 17 have had the jab.

In neighbouring Tendring 2,948 people aged 12 to 15 have had the vaccine with 1,997 having it in the next age bracket.

The NHS vaccine data also reveals variation in coverage between different areas for residents who have received at least one dose.

Read more >> Listed: How many cases of Covid each area of Colchester has

It shows the most second doses have been given out in Mile End and Braiswick where 10,557 jabs were taken up.

A further 3,417 people have had a third dose.

Parson's Heath has seen 10,001 people given second doses and 4,322 get a booster jab.

Annual Covid-19 jabs are likely, says Pfizer boss

Annual vaccines to tackle Covid-19 are likely to be needed, the boss of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has said.

Dr Albert Bourla said yearly vaccinations could boost population immunity, adding that the company is already working on a new jab for the Omicron variant.

He told the BBC: “Based on everything I have seen so far, I would say that annual vaccinations… are likely to be needed to maintain a very robust and very high level of protection.”

It is not yet clear whether the vaccines will need to be tweaked every year for new variants, as happens with the annual flu jab.

In October, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer jab for five to 11-year-olds.

Dr Bourla said immunising that age group in the UK and Europe would be a very good idea.

“Covid in schools is thriving,” he said.

“This is disturbing, significantly, the educational system, and there are kids that will have severe symptoms.

“So there is no doubt in my mind that the benefits, completely, are in favour of doing it.”