Eligible people not yet vaccinated against covid in York and North Yorkshire urged to come forward

People who have not yet had the vaccine in York and North Yorkshire but who are eligible have been urged to come forward

Some 47,000 people eligible for vaccination against coronavirus across York and North Yorkshire have yet to come forward for a dose.

They are now being urged to come forward for a vaccination, even if they had chosen when first offered not to take it.

According to NHS figures, 88.5 per cent of people aged 50 and over, or with an underlying health condition, in North Yorkshire and York have had at least one dose of the vaccination.

The NHS in the region is now stepping up its engagement with communities that have lower uptake of vaccination, including the eastern European community, travellers, and Muslims.

Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for North Yorkshire's clinical commissioning groups, said: "We encourage everyone to come forward not just to protect themselves but their families and loved ones, I can't stress enough that anyone who has had an invitation for a vaccination and chose not to come forward can now come forward and get that vaccination."

Some 410,000 people have had at least one dose of the vaccine in the region, with 48,000 also receiving their second dose.

It comes as second doses of Covid-19 vaccine in the UK have outnumbered first doses for the first time.

A total of 270,526 second doses were registered on March 30, compared with 224,590 first doses, according to the latest Government figures.

Previously the number of first jabs per day had always exceeded second jabs.

A total of 4.1 million people in the UK are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the equivalent of around one in 13 (7.8%) of adults.