THOUSANDS of people over the age of 50 in Wrexham have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

Public Health Wales data shows 44,438 people aged 50 and over have been given a first dose of a vaccine up to March 28 – equating to 81 per cent of the area's population in that age group.

They include 9,918 people who have completed the two-dose course – 18 per cent of the age group.

Figures on first doses for each age group in Wrexham show:

• 50 to 54 – 5,537 administered (53% of the age group)

• 55 to 59 – 6,325 administered (65%)

• 60 to 64 – 6,690 administered (82%)

• 65 to 69 – 6,813 administered (93%)

• 70 to 74 – 7,037 administered (94%)

• 75 to 79 – 5,223 administered (97%)

• 80 and over – 6,472 administered (96%)

Across Wales, 1.1 million people aged over 50 have had their first dose – 84 per cent of the population in that age group – up to March 28, including 315,000 who have completed the course with two doses – 24 per cent.

Last month, the Welsh Government met its target of offering a first dose of the vaccine to everyone in the first four priority groups.

They included older care home residents, care home workers, people aged over 70, frontline health and social care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

Now everyone aged 50 and over as well as those with an underlying health condition which puts them at serious risk from Covid-19 are being vaccinated.

Vaccinations are being given at 546 locations across Wales, including at 360 GPs, 41 vaccination centres and 35 hospitals.

The Welsh Government aims for all adults to have been offered a vaccine by the end of July.