NHS GPs in south west London have hailed a "major milestone" in the battle against Covid-19 after confirming that two million vaccine doses had been administered in the region.

The staggering success of the vaccination programme in the south west London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area comes as 12 to 15-year-olds in Merton, Wandsworth, Croydon, Sutton, Kingston and Richmond are now being offered a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Meanwhile, the SWL CCG said that "almost a million" people in the south west London boroughs had received two doses of Covid vaccines, offering them more complete protection against the Covid-19 virus.

Dr Nicola Jones, local GP and lead GP for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in South West London, said:

"These figures show south west London has achieved yet another major milestone through the non-stop efforts of our vaccination programme, healthcare staff, volunteers and the public. Every jab makes us all a little safer so that two million vaccination figure is fantastic news.

"Getting vaccinated is the most important thing people can do to help protect themselves, their loved ones and their community. It is simple, safe and saves lives, while also allowing us to carry on doing the things we all missed so much during the pandemic."

Following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty to allow 12-15 year olds to be vaccinated, the government announced its decision to offer doses of the Pfizer vaccine to this new group.

Previously, only 12-15 year olds who were immuno-suppressed, or who lived with someone who was vulnerable to Covid-19, could be vaccinated.

Now, healthy 12-15-year-olds can also receive their doses in school.

The vaccine for 12-15 year-olds will be administered through the school-aged immunisation service (SAIS). Additional provision will be made for those aged 12-15 not in mainstream education.

For information about walk-in and pop-up clinics in south west London, which are open for those aged 16 and over, click here.