New data which shows vaccine rates across the country has revealed the worryingly low uptake of Covid jabs in a central area of Newcastle.
The Government's interactive map shows that in the ward of Newcastle City Centre and Arthur's Hill, less than half of people aged over 12 have received their first dose of the vaccine.
This is significantly lower than the city average with almost three quarters of people eligible having had at least one dose of the jab.
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The data below shows the percentage of people (aged 12 or over) who have had first, second and booster jabs in Newcastle City Centre and Arthur's Hill.
- 46.7% (first dose)
- 39% (second dose)
- 20.1% (third dose/booster)
Elswick, Nunsmoor, Shieldfield and Heaton Park (Newcastle) have similarly low vaccination rates with just over half of the people over 12 having had their first dose.
In contrast, other areas in Newcastle such as Westerhope show that 90.6% of people over 12 have had the first dose of the vaccine. A total of 86.2% have had the second dose and 68.1% have had their third dose or booster.
Overall, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 74.1% of people aged 12 or over have had the first dose of the vaccine.
This is lower than other major Northern towns and cities including Sunderland, Middlesbrough, York, Leeds and Sheffield.
In contrast, Liverpool, Manchester and Bradford lag behind Newcastle with similarly lower vaccine uptake.
Reacting to the low vaccine take-up, Prof Eugene Milne, Director of Public Health for Newcastle, said: "Throughout the pandemic we have seen across the country how some of the least affluent communities have suffered the worst of infection and its consequences, so we are very keen to get the protection that vaccines offer to all.
"That is why we have increased access, for example through community pharmacies, pop-up sites, walk-in access – bringing vaccines closer to people – and also by offering transport to vaccine sites. We have also encouraged uptake through community champions and specific approaches to areas and communities of low uptake.
"In spite of this, there are still more people in some areas, like Arthur’s Hill and Elswick in the West, or Byker and Walker in the East, where there are greater numbers of people we would like to reach.
"But wherever you live, I would strongly encourage anyone who has not yet come forward to do so – starting a course of vaccines now will still help to protect you. And if you have already started down that path, please complete the course and get the booster when it is offered."
Across the country, other areas which show significantly lower vaccination rates include:
Harehills South (Leeds)
- 1st dose: 37.5%, 2nd dose: 30.9%, Booster or 3rd dose: 11.6%
Waterloo Road (Wolverhampton)
- 1st dose: 44.0%, 2nd dose: 37.4%, Booster or 3rd dose: 15.2%
Stamford Hill North (London)
- 1st dose: 46.2% 2nd dose: 40.3%, Booster or 3rd dose: 17.8%
Ayresome (Middlesbrough)
- 1st dose: 47.3%, 2nd dose: 40.3%, Booster or 3rd dose: 20.9%
South Tottenham (London)
- 1st dose: 47.4%, 2nd dose: 41.2%, Booster or 3rd dose: 18.2%
Winson Green & Gib Heath (Birmingham)
- 1st dose: 48.0%, 2nd dose: 40.6%. Booster or 3rd dose: 19.2%
Hulme and University (Manchester)
- 1st dose: 49.4%, 2nd dose: 41.3%, Booster or 3rd dose: 19.0%
Toxteth Park (Liverpool)
- 1st dose: 51.7%, 2nd dose: 44.2%, Booster or 3rd dose: 19.2%
Coldean & Moulsecoomb North (Brighton)
- 1st dose: 52.7% 2nd dose: 45.9%, Booster or 3rd dose: 23.9%
Radford (Nottingham)
- 1st dose: 52.7%, 2nd dose: 43.9%, Booster or 3rd dose: 18.9%
On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson hit out at the “mumbo jumbo” and what he called “nonsense” of anti-vaccine campaigners against coronavirus jabs.
Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to a vaccination centre in Moulton Park, Northampton, Mr Johnson said: “I want to say to the anti-vax campaigners, the people who are putting this mumbo jumbo on social media: they are completely wrong.
“You haven’t heard me say that before, because I think it’s important we have a voluntary approach in this country and we’re going to keep a voluntary approach.”
