The military and medics have been drafted-in as part of a range of measures designed to boost Covid-19 vaccination levels in pockets of Hertfordshire.

Across Hertfordshire and West Essex more than three million doses of the Covid-19 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.

But despite the successes, NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCG) in the region acknowledge there are still 'pockets' that are hard to reach.

For example in Watford, around 22 per cent of over 12s are unvaccinated - it's around 30 per cent in specific neighbourhoods such as Central Watford and West Watford.

Among the measures to boost vaccination, a report to the three CCG's covering Hertfordshire and west Essex highlights a military operation – in conjunction with Hertfordshire Community Trust (HCT) – where an articulated truck was brought in to Broxbourne.

It also highlights vaccination sessions in shopping centres, leisure centres and pharmacies in Harlow and points to groups that are being taken to GP surgeries in Watford so they can register and be vaccinated.

It highlights that "significant" funding is also being made available in Welwyn Hatfield to increase vaccine uptake, while 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".

She said: "In Hertfordshire alone, we have now delivered over 2.4 million doses of the vaccine.

"In most districts, take-up of the booster is over 80 per cent. However, with Covid-19 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."

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.

Data presented to the meeting also shows that rates of NHS and social care staff to have had two doses of the vaccine and a booster is in excess of 86 per cent.

And it shows that 94.6 per cent of NHS and social are workers have had one or more jabs.