ONE million first doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered in the South West.

This major milestone was met yesterday (February 3), and was celebrated at Taunton Racecourse.

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Alison Wootton, joint senior responsible officer for the Somerset vaccination programme and a senior nurse, said they are "delighted" to be part of the vaccination programme.

“We are delighted to be part of the South West vaccination delivery programme and celebrating the massive amount of hard work by thousands of healthcare colleagues across the South West," she said.

“Just a matter of weeks ago this service did not exist and today we celebrate achieving one million first dose vaccinations in our part of the world.”

“This is a fantastic achievement and while we take a moment to recognise it, we are continuing to offer the vaccine to those most at risk from Covid-19 as quickly as we can.

"I urge anyone who is in the first four priority groups and is contacted either by a letter from the national booking service, or by your GP surgery, to come forward and book your vaccination as quickly as you can.”

The news comes as all residents of care homes for older adults in Somerset have now been offered a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine (aside from those who cannot have it for clinical reasons).

READ MORE: Residents at all eligible care homes offered Covid jab, figures set to confirm

Elizabeth O'Mahony, regional director of the NHS in the South West, said the vaccine represents hope of a "return to normality".

"I am sure the news we have vaccinated one million people so far across the South West will be welcome news," she added.

“This major milestone has been achieved through the sheer hard work and determination of so many people in the NHS and our partners across the region pulling together to get the Covid-19 vaccination out to the priority groups as safely and efficiently as possible and I would like to thank all involved for their phenomenal efforts."

In Somerset vaccinations are being delivered from 18 sites including the two hospital hubs at Yeovil District Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital and from a pharmacy-led hub in Yeovil, as well as 13 GP-led sites across the county.

There are also two further pharmacies, a Boots pharmacy in Taunton and a pharmacy in Bruton, as well as the large centre at Taunton Racecourse, another large centre at the Royal Bath & West Showground.