A NORTH-EAST council is warning residents that having a Covid vaccine is not a 'passport to freedom'.

Gateshead Council is urging residents not to be complacent once they've received their Covid-19 vaccination. 

The rollout of the vaccination programme is progressing well across Gateshead, with priority groups, including the over 70's and front-line health and social care workers already having received their vaccine. 

The picture is similar across the region, with a new mass vaccination centre expected to be ready to open in County Durham as early as next week, complementing facilities currently up and running in Washington and Newcastle.

Alice Wiseman, public health director at Gateshead Council, is reminding residents that even if you've had your vaccine, it is essential you continue to follow national guidance to help control further spread of Covid-19.

This includes staying at home except for essential travel, washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering and maintaining a two-metre distance from others.  

While the first dose provides protection against the symptoms of the virus, you could still catch or spread the virus without knowing.

Ms Wisema said: "The rollout of the vaccine offers us optimism in the fight against Covid-19, however, we must not get complacent in our behaviour and ignore government guidelines. Cases remain across Gateshead and there is still enormous pressure on local NHS services.

"I know how desperate we all are to hug our family and friends, but now is not the time to lose focus on the long-term goals of the vaccine programme. Even if you've received your vaccine you can still carry and transmit the virus to others.

"To continue to help protect our loved ones and the wider Gateshead communities the best thing we can do is to keep on following the rules - the vaccine isn't a passport to freedom."