THE areas where people are not going for their Covid jab in the North East have been revealed as alarming figures show how some areas are seeing an incredibly low uptake.
Northern Echo analysis of vaccination data has revealed the nine postcode areas where less than half of the eligible population have received their first and second dose.
In England, the Covid vaccination programme has been open to everyone over the age of 18 for the past ten weeks after it was rolled out to all adult cohorts on June 17.
Last night, one MP where uptake in one part of her constituency is just 30.4 percent branded the figures as "concerning," as health bosses said mobile clinics would be launched in some affected areas to encourage uptake.
Read more: 11 out of 14 North East and Yorkshire areas see rise in Covid
It comes as health bosses nationally have warned there is a "high" number of Covid cases, especially among young people as we head into the Bank Holiday weekend.
But figures have revealed how vaccination figures among over 18s are at their worst in several parts of County Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The Newcastle City Centre & Arthur's Hill area is currently the region's worst for vaccine uptake with just 7,079 out of 26,091 eligible jabbed.
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Meanwhile, the Durham City area is the region's second-worst with just 5,725 out of 18,812 eligible adults taking up the vaccine.
This is in stark comparison to Whitley Bay in North Tyneside and Morpeth South & West in Northumberland, where vaccine uptake is currently 90.5 percent.
As of vaccination figures on August 26, the current percentage of eligible over 18s in the North East stands at 76.1 percent across 340 neighbourhood areas.
Nationally, this figure stands at 82.75 percent for all first and second doses issued, although this accounts for vaccines given to all over 16s.
'Very concerning'
Addressing the situation in Durham, the city's MP Mary Foy said she was very concerned to see vaccination uptake in part of her constituency low.
Explaining that there is a substantial student population, who may not have yet gone for their vaccine, she urged anyone eligible to come forward.
She told The Echo: “It is very concerning to read of lower uptake in vaccinations in this part of Durham City.
"These statistics of course refer to a quite tight geographic area, one where there is a substantial student population, whom may not have yet been called for their second jabs. Consequently, in the coming weeks we should see these figures rise.
"I have had both of my vaccines and I'd encourage everyone eligible to take up the opportunity and protect themselves from the most harmful effects of Covid-19 and get both jabs.”
These are areas where vaccine uptake is below 50 percent
- Newcastle City Centre & Arthur's Hill - 27.1 percent
- Durham City - 30.4 percent
- Ayresome (Middlesbrough) - 33.1 percent
- Shieldfield & Heaton Park (Newcastle) - 35 percent
- Nunsmoor (Newcastle) - 35.1 percent
- Middlesbrough Central - 35.1 percent
- Elswick (Newcastle) - 42.4 percent
- Sunderland Central & Deptford - 47.2 percent
- Thornaby North (Stockton) - 48.4 percent
Plea to come forward for jab
In County Durham, the vaccine uptake averages at 78 percent of eligible adults having complete protection, with Durham City, Gilesgate & Old Durham well below the average.
But for Amanda Healy, the council's Director of Public Health, the vaccination figures are likely to increase in those areas as more younger people come forward.
She said: “Vaccinations are still being rolled out to younger adults, with many currently waiting the eight-week period before they are able to receive their second dose.
"Having both doses of the vaccine is vital to ensure people are fully protected and to prevent them from becoming seriously ill with coronavirus."
In a renewed call for those who may have not yet come forward for their first dose, she urged residents to book their appointment or visit a walk-in vaccine site to get their jab.
She said: “We will also be working with Durham University to encourage returning students to take up the offer of both vaccines, if they have not already received a vaccination elsewhere."
Encouragement continues
In Sunderland where the Central & Deptford area of the city has seen an uptake of just 47.2 percent of all over 18s, health bosses continue to encourage vaccine uptake.
Gerry Taylor, the council's Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning, said it is aware that there are areas where vaccine uptake was lower than the rest of the area.
She also said that as a result, there are plans to add mobile clinics in particularly affected areas.
She said: "We’re continuing to urge everyone who is eligible to take up the vaccine as it continues to offer the best form of protection against the virus.
"On the whole, Sunderland has seen very good vaccination uptake, with more than 83 percent take-up of first doses among those aged 18 and over and around 73 percent fully vaccinated.
"We have also seen relatively high take up rates in 16 and 17-year-olds in Sunderland with nearly 47 percent having taken up the vaccine to date.
"We are however aware that there are areas of the city where vaccine take up has been lower, and we are continuing to encourage residents in those areas to get vaccinated.
"We have walk-in clinics where people can just turn up without booking an appointment and we would advise anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to take advantage of these."
Earlier this week, Public Health England said the Covid vaccination programme had so far helped prevent 100,000 deaths in the UK.
Issuing a warning as the Bank Holiday weekend begins, Alicia Demirjian, incident director for Covid-19 at Public Health England, said: “Cases of Covid-19 are still high, especially among young people.
"If you have Covid-19 symptoms, please do not go out – stay at home and get a PCR test as soon as possible.
“If you are heading to a festival or other event this Bank Holiday weekend, to protect your friends and others we encourage you to take a free rapid test before you leave to check that you do not have the virus.”
A Department of Health spokesperson added: “The phenomenal vaccine rollout is building a wall of defence across the country, with over 82,100 hospitalisations prevented and more than 106,000 lives saved.
“We continue to do everything we can to further increase uptake, including working with social media platforms, dating apps, partnering with major companies on incentives, and opening pop-up centres across the country such as in places of worship, festivals, and sporting grounds.”
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For more information on Covid from Sunderland City Council - click here
For more information on Covid from Durham County Council - click here
For more information on Covid from Newcastle City Council - click here
To view the vaccination figures in detail on the Covid dashboard - click here
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