The covid vaccination programme in Lincolnshire has all but hit its 85% target, having given well over 900,000 first and second doses to people across the county.

Having embarked on the unprecedented programme back in December 2020, the vaccination teams have reached 84.5% (first vaccinations, cohorts 1-12), but are not resting on their laurels and continue to urge people to come forwards to get vaccinated.

Rebecca Neno, Deputy Chief Nurse, NHS Lincolnshire CCG said: "The ambition was always to reach 85%, and we're virtually there. I am so proud of all the vaccination teams, volunteers and people who have supported the programme across the county, and hugely grateful the Lincolnshire public who have supported us by getting vaccinated."

Being in sight of the 85% target does not mean that the vaccination programme stops or even pauses for breath, there are still pockets of people who have not come forwards for their vaccinations.

Rebecca continued: "We'd like to see anyone who's not been vaccinated or had their second vaccination, but we're especially keen to vaccinate younger people who have not yet come forwards, if you are still undecided please do come along to one of our vaccine centres and discuss your concerns.

"We are also keen to remind people who might have previously had covid that any immunity this exposure might have given them will decrease over time – they should not rely on this to give them longer-term protection, they still need to be vaccinated. We think that uptake of the vaccination by these people could be around 40% lower, but they still run an increased risk of getting covid a second time if they do not get vaccinated."

As part of the ongoing vaccination programme across the county, the various various walk-in opportunities continue, enabling people to be vaccinated without booking an appointment first.

Rebecca added: "People have responded well to the walk-ins, I think because of the ease of being able to just turn up. We were also particularly pleased with the response to the late night walk-ins at our two Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston, and the Lincolnshire Showground, and will be repeating this at both sites this Thursday evening until 10pm.

"Following on from the so-called 'Freedom Day' I think it's worthwhile reminding people that it's still important to do the right thing and to use common sense, but most critical of all is getting vaccinated. Please remember, getting vaccinated is the best way out of this for all of us."

• This week there will be walk-in opportunities available on a 'first come, first served' basis as follows:

PRSA MVC, Boston – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance), first and second doses, 8am-7pm seven days a week including late night walk-ins until 10pm on Thursday 22nd July

Lincolnshire Showground MVC – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance), first and second doses, 8.15am-7pm seven days a week including late night walk-ins until 10pm on Thursday 22nd July

John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough – offering Pfizer or AZ, first and second doses, 9am-11am, Tuesday 20th July, and 9am-1pm Saturday 31st July

Sheep Market Car Park, Spalding (PE11 1BH) – mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 9am-3pm, Tuesday 20th July

Monks House Playing Field, Monks House Lane, Spalding (PE11 3YS) – mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 11am-2pm, Wednesday 21st July

Johnson Community Hospital Car Park, Pinchbeck Road, Spalding (PE11 3DT) – mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 10am-4pm, Thursday 22nd July

Fun Farm Car Boot, Fun Farm, High Road, Weston, Spalding (PE12 6JU) – mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 12pm-2pm, Friday 23rd July

Boston Market Place (PE21 6EH) - mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 9am-3pm, Saturday 24th July

Stamford - In the former VW garage opposite Morrisons. Appointments are available by calling 119 or via the national booking system.