Region leads the way for over-80s vaccinated
A TOTAL of 433,045 people in the North East and Yorkshire have received a coronavirus vaccination so far, with the region leading the country in the proportion of over-80s who have received their first jabs.
The NHS and Public Health England have published figures showing the number of vaccinations in regions of England for the first time.
Across England as a whole, 2.4 million people have now been vaccinated.
The figures show that 254,265 people aged 80 or over have received single vaccination in the North East and Yorkshire, which are classed as a single region. Another 50,125 people over 80 have received two jabs.
It means 54.6% of everyone over 80 in the region, more than half, have received at least one vaccination. This is the highest proportion in the country.
In London, where the proportion is lowest, 38.6% of the population over 80 have been vaccinated at least once. This is fewer than four in ten.
The figures show that 178,780 people under the age of 80 in the North East and Yorkshire have received at least one vaccination. This is 2.07% of the under-80 population, roughly one in 50 people.
The figures cover the period up to January 10.
Ministers say they are looking at ways of opening 24-hour vaccination centres. Downing Street said ministers are looking at the “possible options” to deliver coronavirus vaccines around the clock, but was unable to put a date on the rollout.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’re looking at the possible options to deliver vaccines 24/7.
“Some people who may benefit from being able to receive a vaccine at different hours to others, so we’re open to the options and we are looking at how we can deliver it.”
Covid-19 case rates have fallen in most regions of England including the North East, according to the latest weekly surveillance report from Public Health England.
London’s rate of new cases stood at 864.9 per 100,000 people in the seven days to January 10, down from 1,043.9 in the previous week.
London continues to have the highest rate of any region.
The other regions recording a weekon-week fall are the East Midlands, eastern England, the North East, south-east England and Yorkshire & the Humber.
Three regions recorded a week-on-week increase: north-west England, south-west England and the West Midlands.
Yorkshire and the Humber continues to have the lowest rate at 297.2, down from 309.9.