Health chiefs in Gloucestershire are confident they remain on course to deliver a Covid-19 vaccine the top four priority groups by the mid-February target.

And they have praised GP surgery teams, community NHS services and volunteers following news the vast majority of over-80s priority group have received their first dose.

Vaccinations have been carried out in nearly every older people's care home under the care of Gloucestershire GP practices with the remaining homes being visited in the near future.

Latest figures show close to 60,000 people in the top priority groups, which also includes NHS and care home staff, the clinically vulnerable and over-70s, have been vaccinated in the county.

NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group clinical chair Dr Andy Seymour said:

"It is hard to put into words the scale of this achievement, particularly when viewed alongside the timeframe involved.

"Due to this amazing team effort a large majority of the over-80s in the county have been offered or have received their first dose and people in the next priority groups, including those in their 70s, are being contacted.

"We are incredibly proud of our GP surgery teams, care partners and a host of other health and care professionals and volunteers who have put their fellow residents first by working literally flat out before, during and after the Christmas and new year period."

The county's NHS moved fast to set up the Edward Jenner Vaccination Hospital Hub and 10 community vaccination centres in December against the backdrop of winter and Covid-19 related pressures.

Professor Steve Hams, chief nurse at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and senior responsible officer for the Gloucestershire Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: "We are extremely proud of everyone involved in getting the Covid-19 vaccination programme off the ground and as a result the county has been at the vanguard of the vaccination effort.

"These achievements and the continuing progress being made in the county is truly staggering and hat's off to all those involved - their hard work and selfless approach are making this all possible."

He continued: "We know that people are thinking of family members and many people in the other top priority groups are keen to receive their first doses of the vaccine.

"Please wait for the NHS to contact you - we will get to you as quickly as possible."