THE North-East has administered the second-highest number of Covid vaccines across England, official data has confirmed.  

Vaccination data has been released for the first time shows that the North-East and Yorkshire had administered a total of 310,110 first and second doses.

NHS data, which shows how many jabs were given between December 8 and January 7, showed that 270,885 first doses and 39,225 second doses had been issued.

Northern Echo analysis of ONS population data from 2019 and NHS data showed that the region had issued more first doses, per 100,000 population, than any other region.

Meanwhile, analysis showed the region was the country's second-highest for issuing first and second doses combined. 

Breaking down the data, the figures show the North-East and Yorkshire has also administered the country's most vaccines to those over 80 - equating to around half in that age range.

This afternoon, politicians and authority leaders responded to the figures with some describing the programme as "light at the end of the tunnel."

Mary Foy, Labour MP for Durham City, told The Echo that she hoped to see the North-East continuing to "lead the way" over coming months.

She said: "I'm delighted to hear that the North East has seen such an efficient rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.

"Not only was it vital to get this up and running as quickly as possible in the area, this is a testament to the dedication and hard work of health professionals across the region in organising, planning and carrying out the process of vaccination.

"My thanks go to everyone who has been instrumental in making this happen.

"It's vital that we continue to see a real focus on not only getting the vaccine out to as many people as possible in our communities, but that our frontline health and care workers are also vaccinated as soon as possible.

"I hope to see the North-East continuing to lead the way over the coming months."

Responding to the vaccine figures, the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen welcomed the region's performance but urged residents to continue following restrictions.

He said: "The fact that over 50 percent of people in the North East, including tens of thousands of local people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool aged 80 and above have now been vaccinated against the coronavirus is absolutely fantastic news.

“This is the best vaccination rate in the country and is testament to the hard-work and dedication of everyone involved in this national effort, including the logistics experts, delivery drivers, Steward Volunteers at vaccination centres and of course our amazing NHS workers.

“It’s absolutely essential that as many people as possible get vaccinated as soon as possible and It’s great to see the North East leading the way.

"Across the country we are now doing more than 200,000 jabs a day and the sooner we get jabs into people’s arms, the sooner we can get back to normal.

“We now have light at the end of the tunnel, but this must not make anyone complacent so we must stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

Here's how many people have been vaccinated across England (1st and 2nd doses)

In order of doses per 100,000 people.

1. South West

- 209,583 total doses (population 5,624,696)

3,726 doses per 100,000 people 

2. North East and Yorkshire

- 310,110 total doses (population 8,172,908)

3,460 doses per 100,000 people 

3. South East

- 287,045 total doses (population 9,180,135)

3,127 doses per 100,000 people 

4. North West 

- 226,543 total doses (population 7,341,196)

3,086 doses per 100,000 people 

5.  East England

- 182,544 total doses (population 6,236,072)

2,927 doses per 100,000 people 

6. Midlands 

- 310,438 total doses (population 10,769,965)

2,882 doses per 100,000 people 

7.  London

- 181,388 total doses (population 8,961,989)

2,024 doses per 100,000 people 

8. Other - 1,766 

Total number of doses: 1,709,417