There are still more than 49,000 people in Lincolnshire aged 18-39 who have not come forwards for a covid vaccination.

Whilst 69.5% of 30-39 year olds and 70.6% of 18-29 year olds have been vaccinated, this leaves a large number of people in these age ranges (49,382) who have not, despite the availability of the vaccination in the county.

Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said: "Ultimately this is a personal choice, however, anecdotally there is hesitation amongst some people and I have recently heard this described as the three Cs – confidence, convenience and complacency."

"We are all different and will approach getting vaccinated or not in a way that we're comfortable with. With confidence in mind, to anyone with any doubts I would repeat what I have said before – please come and talk to one of our teams at our vaccination sites around the county. They will listen to you and will provide you with the information you need to make your own informed decision."

As far as convenience is concerned, there are still vaccination sites operating across the county, including the two Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston, and the Lincolnshire Showground, offering pre-bookable appointments and walk-in opportunities.

Vaccines are also available at the Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham.

Rebecca also said: "We've really pushed hard on the walk-in opportunities, which do not need to be pre-booked, because we know that we need to make the vaccination as convenient as we can, particularly for those people who work and/or who do not have their own transport.

"As part of this we have also run a number of different pop-up walk in sessions over the last few weeks across the county and there has even been a free bus service to and from PRSA, Boston, and the Lincolnshire Showground.

Rebecca continued: "The one 'c' that concerns me most is complacency. If that is a thing then we should all be concerned, because it suggests me to that some people think they're bulletproof or superhuman and really believe there's no risk to them from covid.

"The reality is none of us can guarantee we won't get covid, but getting vaccinated does significantly reduce your chances of doing so and, if you're still unfortunate enough to catch covid, the vaccination will help lessen its impact on you."

With the focus now extended to include anyone aged 16 or over, health bosses say it is encouraging to know that 61% of 16 and 17 year olds in Lincolnshire have now been vaccinated, which compares to 56% last week.

Rebecca added: "Sixty one percent (61%) of 16 and 17 year olds being vaccinated already is really great news and also means we are one of the top performing areas in the country.

"Despite that my message to people remains the same – getting vaccinated offers the best protection against covid, and we continue to do everything we can to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to get vaccinated.

"Remember, this is not just about you, getting vaccinated is also about protecting your family and friends, those you love or care for."

*There are walk-in opportunities available to people aged 16 and over on a 'first come, first served' basis as follows (people aged 16 and 17 only require one covid vaccination):

PRSA MVC, Boston – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance and vaccine availability), first and second doses, 8.30m-7pm seven days a week (NB from w/c 9 August, AZ appointments and walk-ins will only be available on Tuesdays at PRSA).

Lincolnshire Showground MVC – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance and vaccine availability), first and second doses, 8.30am-7pm seven days a week (NB from w/c 9 August, AZ appointments and walk-ins will only be available on Wednesdays at the Showground).

The Table Tennis Club, Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins, first and second doses (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance and vaccine availability), 9.30am-6.45pm Friday 10th, 9.30am-12pm Saturday 11th September

Marisco Medical Practice, Mablethorpe – offering AZ and Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 9am-4.30pm Sunday 12th September

John Coupland Hospital (Trentside Unit), Gainsborough - offering Pfizer, first and second doses, 8.30am-11am, Saturday 11th September.