Nearly half of Cheshire and Merseyside residents have had their first dose of the vaccine, new NHS England data shows.

The weekly statistical release from NHS England on Thursday (March 11) shows that, up to March 7, 46 per cent of all over-16s in Cheshire and Merseyside have been given their first jab.

In Cheshire alone, 91.3 per cent of all over-60s have received their first inoculation.

The news comes as regional NHS chiefs said they are 'confident' of meeting government targets for the programme in April.

NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group Accountable Officer Clare Watson said: "We are on track in terms of remaining national targets.

"April 15 is not that far ahead but we are confident of hitting that target and we have been working to break down those patients that have not been vaccinated by primary care networks, so they can provide assurance to the CCG they are targeting and working with those hard to reach patients.

"We are now in cohort 8. That is the last but one before the April deadline. It's really excellent performance for all primary care networks with all cohorts."

The data also reveals that, despite seeing its vaccine supply 'throttled back' and subsequently re-increased, Cheshire has continued to maintain similar levels of progress in vaccination.

This week's figure of 46 per cent represents a rise of four per cent from a week earlier — which follows a five percent rise from the week before that.

Commenting on supply at Cheshire West Council's Covid-19 Board on Wednesday, March 10, Ms Watson said: "We know nationally that vaccine supply is tight. We are not currently [worried] about vaccination supply in Cheshire West.

"We are one of the best if not the best as a CCG in the north west and we are on track in terms of meeting national targets.

"It is a national supply issue."

Earlier this week, it was revealed that over-55s should begin getting their invites for a jab in the coming days.