Sunderland's over 50s jabs 'hesitancy' fears

Two out of every 100 people aged over 50 in Sunderland have yet to receive a first vaccination against Covid-19 – despite being invited to book a jab more than two months ago.
Virus jab hesitancy fearsVirus jab hesitancy fears
Virus jab hesitancy fears

While three-quarters of the adult population in England have now had their first dose – and more than half are fully vaccinated – but figures suggest there is still hesitancy among over 50s in some areas, which could slow the race against the virus.

Over 50s have been invited to book their first jab through the NHS since March 17 but NHS England data shows in Sunderland, 1,807 people aged 50 and over had still to receive a first vaccination dose as of May 30 – two per cent of the age group.

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The figure was highest in the Sunderland Central and Deptford areas where 9.8% of over 50s had not received a Covid jab at this point.

Across England, four per cent of people aged 50 and over – 800,600 – had not been vaccinated as of May 30.

In the North East and Yorkshire, three per cent of people aged 50 and over were unvaccinated.

Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary, Marsha de Cordova, said: "These next few weeks are crucial in containing outbreaks of the Delta variant - increasing vaccine uptake must be ministers' number one priority.”

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NHS lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme, Dr Emily Lawson, said it was key people booked their jab.

She added: “Getting both doses is what will give everyone the maximum possible protection against Covid.”