More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Vaccinators in Kent need to administer 64,000 jabs in a week in order to meet the target of injecting the top four priority groups by mid February.
The latest figures - published today but for the period up to Sunday - showed just under 350,000 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been administered.
That means about 64,000 people need to receive the vaccine this week in order to meet the target as there are an estimated 411,000 people who fall into the top four groups in Kent.
But the target looks achievable as up to January 31 260,000 people had been vaccinated, meaning in a week just under 90,000 people have received the first dose.
The government pledged to vaccinate the top four groups by mid-February, as part of the NHS's biggest immunisation programme in history.
These groups comprise care home residents, healthcare workers, those aged over 70, and the clinically extremely vulnerable.
The number of priority patients vaccinated is likely to be slightly lower than the 350,000 figure, as it includes vaccines given to those such as teachers, who do not fall within the priority groups.
One obstacle in the way is the weather, with heavy snow in many parts of Kent threatening to derail efforts but previously the NHS remained confident they could run services as planned.
Concerns have previously been raised over whether the supply can keep up with demand.
But speaking last week, several doctors in east Kent said they felt optimistic the February 15 target would be reached, providing there were no issues with the supply.
Leading Whitstable GP, Dr John Ribchester said last week: "Assuming deliveries happen like they're supposed to, by close of play on Saturday 13, we'll have vaccinated all of groups one to four."
Meanwhile, GP Jeremy Carter said the roll-out is also going "very well" in Herne Bay.
"We're in the last two weeks before the February 15 target, by which time in Herne Bay we're confident we'll have given the vaccine to everyone in the top four priority groups that want it," he said.
"As long as we get the vaccine that we need next week, I'm confident we'll do that."
