Second covid vaccine figures near 50% in South Tyneside - these are the areas with the highest and lowest vaccine uptake

NHS data shows 59,503 people had received both jabs by May 23 – 48% of those over the age of 16.

Of those to have received both jabs, 52,280 were over 40 – 65% of the age group – and 7,223 people aged between 16 and 39 have received both doses.

In South Tyneside 74% of those aged 16 and over have received their first jab but the NHS vaccine data also reveals variations in coverage between different areas.

The areas with the highest first dose coverage are Cleadon and East Boldon, with 87.3% of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

This is followed by Harton West on 83.8% and Fellgate and Hedworth with 79.9%.

The areas with the lowest coverage are South Shields West (60.1%), Westoe (67.3%) and West Harton (67.3%).

In England, 19.4 million people had received a second dose of the jab by May 23 – 43% of over 16s.

In total, 31.6 million people had received at least one dose of a vaccine by the same date, 70% of people over 16.

Despite the success of the rollout, some staff at care homes in South Tyneside have not been vaccinated.

The figures show 1,061 out of 1,185 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by May 23 – meaning 10% have not had a jab.

The Government is currently in consultation over plans to make the jab mandatory for staff over concerns for residents.