Military and medics have been drafted-in as part of a range of measures designed to boost Covid vaccination levels in pockets of Hertfordshire.

Many have still to visit Letchworth's vaccination centre at the site of the former Argos in the town centre.

However, across Hertfordshire and West Essex more than three million doses of the Covid vaccine are reported to have been given.

In excess of 82 per cent of the eligible population are now reported to be vaccinated to booster level.

And data suggests there are thousands of jabs being administered daily across Hertfordshire and west Essex.

The update is included in a report prepared for a joint meeting of the three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Hertfordshire and West Essex on Thursday (January 27).

But despite the successes, it acknowledges there are still 'pockets' that are hard to reach.

Among the measures to boost vaccination, the report highlights a military operation – in conjunction with Hertfordshire Community Trust (HCT) – where an articulated truck was brought in.

It also highlights vaccination sessions in shopping centres, leisure centres ad pharmacies.

It points to groups that are being taken to GP surgeries so they can register and be vaccinated.

And it highlights the work of 'vaccine tracers' working with registered patients who they know are not yet vaccinated. Following the meeting, Beverley Flowers – deputy CEO of Herts Valleys, West Essex and East and North Herts CCGs – said the vaccine take-up in Hertfordshire was "really positive". "In Hertfordshire alone, we have now delivered more than 2.4 million doses of the vaccine," she said. "In most districts, take-up of the booster is over 80 per cent. "However, with Covid still circulating in the community, it's vital that people get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and others from the risk of serious illness and debilitating Long Covid. "Recent research shows that people who have not been vaccinated are up to eight times more likely to end up in hospital from Covid-19." She said 'data and insight' was used to encourage people to come forward, in areas and communities where take-up is lower. She also highlighted outreach work with faith leaders, homeless shelters, Gypsy and Traveller sites, college and University students, sports clubs and voluntary groups. And they were encouraging pregnant women to encourage to have the vaccine to protect themselves and their babies, 'as they are particularly vulnerable to the risks of Covid'. Data included in the reports prepared for the meeting shows that there continues to be differences in vaccination status and age groups. Broadly speaking, 97 per cent of over-70s have been fully vaccinated and had a booster jab. But in the 18 to 29 age group the same levels are significantly lower – with 62.6 per cent in Herts Valleys area, 58 per cent in East and North Herts and 53.6 per cent in West Essex.