NHS teams across the North East and Yorkshire have already vaccinated more than 300,000 people with a spring Covid dose since the campaign formally launched outside of care homes last month.

NHS staff have been going into older adult care homes to offer residents the vaccine since 3 April, while everyone else who is eligible has been able to book a vaccine appointment from 17 April. This includes people aged 75 and over, or anyone with a weakened immune system.

Nationally, the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in NHS history has now vaccinated over two million people with a spring Covid vaccination. Latest figures show 302,900 eligible people in the North East and Yorkshire have received their spring Covid dose, and three-quarters of care homes have been visited by NHS vaccination teams.

Dr Yvette Oade, Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the North East and Yorkshire (pictured), said: “Thanks to the amazing work of our local teams in the community, GP practices and pharmacies, we’ve now seen that more than 302,000 people in our region have taken up the offer for crucial top-up protection.

“It’s important to remember that if you’re at increased risk, this spring dose helps boost your antibodies and gives you good protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch Covid-19.”

Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but is not invited can check online. Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site.

The last spring vaccination appointments will be offered on Friday 30 June. Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged five years on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after that date, following recent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. After 30 June the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk, usually during seasonal campaigns.

There are more than 2,500 sites across England, with the majority of appointments being delivered in communities by pharmacies and GP teams.