The 'incredible' efforts of health and care staff, volunteers and local communities have been praised as the number of Covid-19 vaccines given in Devon crosses the one million milestone.

Devon's first Covid-19 vaccination was given to 81-year-old Kathleen Viney on December 8 last year. Between then and May 2, 1,018,810 doses have been given in Devon.

Darryn Allcorn, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, who leads the vaccination programme, praised the efforts of everyone involved.

He said: "This has been a truly incredible team effort to help people to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and to allow our lives to begin to return to normal.

"I'd like to thank all our partners across Devon – including GPs and their teams, colleagues in our NHS trusts, local authorities, pharmacies, community groups and volunteers – they have done an outstanding job.

"We know many people have worked long hours and given up part of their Christmas and Easter breaks to make this happen.

"The vaccination programme is still in full swing and plenty of first dose appointments are available for people aged 38 and above."

In Dawlish, the vaccination centre at the communitiy hospital has been supported by an army of volunteers. The team comprises members of Helping Dawlish, town council volunteers, carnival volunteers, Friends of Dawlish Hospital and many individuals who came forward to help.

Working outside in sometimes atrocious weather, they've been acting as marshals in the hospital car park, directing patients to suitable parking spaces and keeping the traffic flowing.

Reaching Devon's diverse communities

To reach the million-dose milestone the local vaccination programme has been working with diverse communities across Devon to increase take-up and address any concerns.

Work has included enlisting the support of vaccine ambassadors to provide reassurance and support to local ethnic minority communities; a pop-up vaccination clinic at Exeter Mosque and Cultural centre; translating vaccine information into other languages so people have access to reliable information; using a mobile vaccination unit to reach workplaces with high numbers of migrant workers and rural communities; developing a film in partnership with service users to help people with learning difficulties access the vaccination; and working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities to understand perceptions of the vaccine.

The vaccination programme continues and has now entered phase two; meaning people aged 18-49 will gradually be offered the jab. Currently everyone aged 38 and over as well as other eligible groups are able to book their vaccination.

If you are eligible, you can use the National Booking Service website or call 119 to make an appointment. People in many areas of Devon will also be contacted by their GP practice about an appointment.