The number of Covid-19 vaccination doses given in Gloucestershire has passed the 500,000 mark with NHS leaders in the county saluting the teams behind it.

Gloucestershire broke through the half a million milestone today with more than 150,000 second does given out.

Professor Steve Hams, chief Nurse at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and senior responsible officer for the Gloucestershire Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: "I would like to personally thank all those who have played their part in this superb vaccination effort in Gloucestershire.

"It is heartening to see that positive progress continues to be made by local vaccination teams and in particular a great many more people who are at greater risk from the virus are receiving their second doses across Gloucestershire.

"We understand that younger adults could well be feeling somewhat frustrated as they wait patiently for their first dose, but the service is poised to step back up closer to capacity as additional supplies come on stream."

Anyone aged 40-49 will be receiving a message from their GP about a first dose appointment at one of 10 Primary Care Network GP-led vaccination centres across the county.

People in that age group may also haven notification giving them the option to use the national booking website or phone 119 to book a vaccination appointment at other available services.

These include some out of county locations as well as three pharmacy locations in the county - Boots in Gloucester, Badhams in Bishop's Cleeve and Cainscross Pharmacy in Stroud.

The local NHS is also looking to further increase the range of additional vaccination services and models available in the county.

NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group clinical chair Dr Andy Seymour said: "We know people are very keen to receive their first doses, in particular people aged between 40 and 49 without underlying health conditions.

"NHS vaccination teams in Gloucestershire will be progressing through this age group as quickly as possible, as vaccine supplies allow."

He continued: "We want to reassure residents that local GP services will contact them to schedule appointments and they do not need to call their surgery at this time.

"Local vaccination teams continue to stand ready, with the infrastructure in place, to vaccinate as many residents as possible, as quickly as possible, and we expect supplies will increase in the near future."