Jeremy Vine panel clash over COVID-19 case spikes

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The rollout of the vaccine program has mapped the UK’s way out of the covid crisis. While many countries are struggling to fight the virus, the success of Britain’s vaccine program provides a glimmer of hope for many Brits that life may return to normal before the end of the year. The latest data suggests many Brits are happy to do their bit for the vaccine effort, but the number of people who have had the jab varies regionally.

Covid vaccination rate – by region

Results of the vaccine roll out released by NHS England (NB hyperlink to study) yesterday, reveals a greater reluctance and or worse access to get jabbed in certain regions than others.

Data from the first day of the government’s vaccination program shows that between December 8, 2020, and May 16, 2021, the lowest rate of vaccinations has been in London.

Just 25 percent of those in the capital have been fully vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine.

The best performing area to date is the South West with 37.2 percent of the region having had both doses.

At an even more localised level, the East London Health and Care Partnership is trailing behind the other ICS and STPs, with the lowest overall percentage of those who are eligible for the vaccine to have taken up the jab.

Just 71.3 percent of those eligible for the vaccine have been inoculated by the East London Health and Care Partnership.

This figure is much lower than other regions such as Somerset which has one of the highest uptake rates with 85.8 percent of those eligible for the vaccine having had two doses.

Covid vaccination rate – by age

It is important to bear in mind that whilst London may have the smallest percentage of its population vaccinated, this area has a much lower average age than many other regions, as a result many will not yet be eligible for the vaccine.

First vaccines are now being offered to those over 18 in most areas of Wales, over 25 in Northern Ireland, those over 30 in Scotland and all those aged 34 and above in England.

As well as all those who are considered to be at risk from the virus.

Uptake has been highest with those aged 75 to 79, the second most vulnerable category.

On average the majority of ICS and STPs in England have inoculated 100 percent of this age bracket with at least one dose of the vaccine.

Roll out of the first and second doses of the vaccine
The data shows that there has been some variation in the uptake/access to second doses across the country.

The East of England had the greatest success in rolling out the first vaccine with 62.8 percent of its entire population having had at least one dose to date.

The area was knocked from its top spot when second doses were rolled out as the South West became the region with the highest percentage, 37.2 percent, of its population having had both doses.

The future of the vaccine program

To date over 37 million people have had a first dose of the vaccine, about 70 percent of the adult population and more than 21 million have had a second shot.

Currently, all those aged 34 and over are invited to get the vaccine.

Boris Johnson has pledged that all adults in the UK will be offered a first dose of the vaccine by the end of July.

With the end of the vaccine rollout in sight, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock has heralded the vaccine program as the “light at the end of the tunnel” in the fight against covid.

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