Over 4 million spring covid vaccines have been delivered by hard-working NHS staff across the country, according to the latest NHS statistics.

The figures show that 659,817 people across the North East and Yorkshire have now received their spring covid booster from the NHS, just 10 weeks after bookings officially opened as part of the latest vaccination campaign.

The vaccine offer, mainly aimed at those aged 75 and over, individuals with a weakened immune system and older adult care home residents, formally opened in April – with over two-thirds of care home residents in the region having received their protection.

With just one week left of this year’s spring covid vaccine programme, the NHS is urging all eligible people who haven’t yet had their top-up to come forward and get protected before Sunday 30 June.

NHS North East and Yorkshire Regional Medical Director, Dr Hamish McLure, said: “It is fantastic to see that so many people in the region have already come forward since the start of the spring covid vaccination campaign in April – with hardworking NHS staff also having vaccinated over two-thirds of care home residents.

“Covid-19 can still pose a serious risk for those aged over 75 and those with compromised immune systems. Even if you’ve been vaccinated before, protection diminishes over time, so I’d urge anyone eligible to come forward in the last remaining days.”

For the first time, joint bookings can be made for those who use the online booking system or NHS 119 to get their jab. By selecting a joint booking, two eligible people aged 18 and over can get the covid-19 vaccine in the same location at the same time, making it easier than ever to get protected. Depending on the vaccination site, those who have booked a joint appointment may be vaccinated at the same time or may have back-to-back vaccination slots.

Statistics from the UK Health Security Agency on last year’s spring covid-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were up to 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with covid-19 for three to four months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.

More details on people eligible for covid-19 vaccines and how to book a jab are available at nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/getting-a-covid-19-vaccine