The capital is languishing at the bottom of the vaccine take-up table with 81% of adults over 45 having received a first dose, 10% less than the south west.

London has the lowest percentage of first jabs in the country, with South-west England topping the list with almost 97% of the over-50s receiving a first dose.

One expert said “none” of the vaccines are as effective against the South African variant – though studies suggest that the jabs still prevent severe disease.