Over 260,000 have had virus jabs in Northumberland

More than 260,000 people in Northumberland have received a dose of the coronavirus vaccine – almost one year after the first Covid-19 jab was administered.

December 8 will mark a year to the day since 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person to get the Pfizer jab.

Since then, 262,239 people aged 12 and over in the area have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, figures from the UK coronavirus daily dashboard show – 89% of all people in the age group.

Of them, 243,990 have also received a second dose - though 12 to 17-year-olds only became eligible for second jabs in recent weeks.

The data also shows 122,426 people in the area had received a booster jab or third dose of the coronavirus vaccine by December 4.

Nationally, 51 million people have had their first jab and more than 46 million have also received a second dose.

Vaccines minister Maggie Throup said the Covid-19 vaccination programme – the largest in British history – has been "remarkable".

She added: "Booster jabs will protect the progress we have already made against the virus. The offer of a first and second dose will always be available and I encourage everybody to come forward to protect themselves and those around them."

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, warned that although more than 96 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have already been given, providing protection to 90% of people, the emergence of the Omicron variant shows the pandemic "is far from over".