Covid-19 vaccine: Figures reveal whopping 99.6 percent take-up in one area of Northamptonshire

An astonishing 996 people out of every 1,000 aged 50 or over in one area of Northamptonshire have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The 99.6 per cent uptake in South Northamptonshire was revealed in the latest batch of official NHS figures released yesterday (May 13).

It showed 39,910 in all the priority age groups from 50-54 to 80-plus have been given at least one dose of a vaccine out of an estimated target population of 40,065.

Just 155 people aged 50 or over have yet to take up offers of jabs in the former South Northamptonshire district, now part of the West Northamptonshire unitary authority area.

Across Northamptonshire the average is just over 96.4 percent among over 50s — slightly above the UK average of 95 percent.

Chris Pallot, director of the county's Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “The NHS vaccination programme in Northamptonshire continues to make strong progress, and thanks to the fantastic efforts of our vaccination teams right across the county we are continuing to see positive uptake for both the first and second doses.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from the virus, especially as we continue to move out of lockdown and begin to mix with larger groups again.

“Everyone aged 38 and over, as well as health and social care workers, unpaid carers and people at higher clinical risk, are eligible for a vaccine. If you fall into one of these groups but haven’t yet taken up the offer of a vaccine, you can make an appointment directly with your GP practice or by calling 119, by visiting www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination.”

Today's figures also revealed 47,159 of those under-40 have already received a first jab despite the 38-year-olds and 39-year-olds only recently being called forward under the latest expansion of the national rollout.

Across all age groups 383,184 have now received a first dose with 183,443 of those now fully vaccinated having had both doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford AstraZeneca.

A third version of the vaccine, Moderna, is also being used in the county for first jabs since the beginning of April.

Analysis by Public Health England this week showed for the first time that individuals who receive a single dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine have approximately 80 percent lower risk of death with Covid-19 compared with unvaccinated individuals.

The report also underlined protection against death from the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine rises from approximately 80 percent after one dose to 97 percent after two.

Separate new PHE analysis also confirmed the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is highly effective in reducing the risk of hospitalisation, especially in older ages.