Three in every 100 people aged 50 and over in Northumberland are yet to receive a first vaccination dose against
Covid-19 – despite being invited to book a jab more than two months ago.
The NHS has hailed reaching the “home straight” of the vaccination rollout with people aged 25 and over now being invited to come forward – six months since the first Covid jab was administered in the UK.
Three quarters of the adult population across England have had their first dose, while more than half are fully vaccinated. But figures suggest there is still hesitancy amongst over-50s in some areas, which could slow the race against the virus as the dominant Indian variant, known as the Delta variant, claims more cases.
People aged 50 and over have been invited to book their first jab through the NHS since March 17.
But NHS England data shows in Northumberland, 4,196 people aged 50 and over had still to receive a first vaccination dose as of May 30 – three per cent of the age group based on latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics. Across England, four per cent of people aged 50 and over – or 800,600 adults – had not been vaccinated as of May 30.
A study by PHE also found that protection against the Delta variant is only 33 per cent after a first dose of vaccine, but at least 60 per cent after a second.
NHS lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme Dr Emily Lawson said it was key that people booked their second
jab.
She added: “Getting both doses is what will give everyone the maximum possible protection against Covid,” she said.
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