Shepton Mallet's MP James Heappey has welcomed the news that all residents in care homes have now been offered a vaccine across Somerset, and he has praised the efforts of the vaccination staff at the Mendip District Council offices.

It follows the announcement that more than eight million first doses have now been administered in what is seen as a key milestone in the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Heappey has been in regular touch with the clinical leads in Mendip, as well as the Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure the rollout is successful in Somerset and has praised the way GPs and other primary care staff have adapted during this logistical challenge across the county.

Mr Heappey said: "This has been a phenomenal effort from our local GP surgeries and the staff at the vaccination centres in Berrow, Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet.

"We have a large number of people in the top four priority groups and so the achievement in hitting the target the Government has set should not be underestimated.

"The three regional centres at Ashton Gate in Bristol, Taunton Racecourse and the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet are also now online, giving choice to over 70s who have the ability to travel a bit further for their vaccination.

"I will continue to track progress, but I am very confident that we will achieve the vaccination of everybody in priority groups one to four by the middle of the month."

The Priority Groups are as follows:

1. Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
2. All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
3. All those 75 years of age and over
4. All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals (not including pregnant women and those under 16 years of age)