Fifty six percent (56%) of 16 and 17 year olds in Lincolnshire have already taken up the offer of a covid vaccination in the last two weeks.

This compares favourably to figures that show nationally (England) 50 percent of 16 and 17 year olds have been vaccinated and Lincolnshire is currently the highest ranking system for uptake in the Midlands for this age group.

Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes at NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said: "This is great news for Lincolnshire, and in particular for our younger people, and I am so pleased that they are coming forwards and doing their bit by getting vaccinated.

"Currently 16 – 17 year olds only require one vaccination to achieve a good level immunity, which means two weeks after vaccination these younger people will have a good level of protection."

Across the county there continues to be a range of walk-in opportunities on offer to people aged 16 and over and the NHS is keen to remind everyone, but especially people aged 39 and under, to get vaccinated.

Rebecca continued: "We reported last week that just over 50,000 people aged 30-39 and 18-29 in Lincolnshire have not yet been vaccinated and, whilst that figure has reduced slightly to just under 50,000 (49,882), I am concerned that these people are not coming forwards.

"What this means is these people have little or no protection against covid, and are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk. It's also worth saying again that we know that people aged 16-29 are most likely to develop long covid, which can be extremely debilitating.

"It is therefore important to remember that, if you are aged over 17 and ¾ and eligible for two vaccinations, having both doses roughly halves the risk of experiencing symptoms that last more than 28 days after infection."

She added: "We continue to offer a range of vaccination sites across the county, including options for people who are eligible (i.e. 16 and over) to attend as a walk-in, meaning no appointment is necessary, and I would urge anyone aged 16 and over to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

Anyone who presents for their covid vaccination aged under 40 will be given Pfizer (unless they have previously received a first dose of Astra Zeneca).

People aged 18 or over, or who are within three months of their 18th birthday, can book online or by calling 119. People aged 16 and 17 cannot book online or via 119, but can either attend as a walk-in or wait to be contacted by the NHS to have their vaccination at a site more local to them.

Further details can be found on the NHS Lincolnshire website here.