More than a third of 18 to 29 year-olds in Newcastle are unvaccinated against Covid-19 - and senior medics are now launching another campaign to persuade as many people as possible to get their jabs.
With large numbers of young people yet to have the vaccines across the North East, the Change of Heart campaign is pushing to reassure that group of that the jabs are safe and that they should feel comfortable changing their minds.
NHS data released by the campaign shows that in Newcastle, 35% of people in the age-range haven't had their jabs. That means there are thought to be 27,934 people unprotected against Covid-19.
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Across the wider North East, just under a quarter (23%) of people in the age-range are not vaccinated at all. That's 104,000 people. A further 27% are eligible for their booster jab but yet to have it.
Other local authority areas also have significant numbers of unvaccinated young people, but none have as larger a proportion of the under-30s who are not jabbed.
In North Tyneside the figure is 18% (equivalent to 5,016 people), while in County Durham it is 25% (21,432 people), in Gateshead 27% (8,237 people), in South Tyneside 27% (5,669 people) and in Sunderland 24% (10,285).
Northumberland has the lowest rate of unvaccinated 18-to-29 year-olds in the LA7 area, with just 16% (6,378 people) not having taken the jab.
The Change of Heart campaign is backed by all of the directors of public health at each council around the region.
Professor Neil Watson is the chief operating officer for the Covid-19 vaccination programme across the North East and North Cumbria.
He said: "Many people - of all ages - have legitimate worries about being vaccinated and that is normal. Whether it’s concerns about what they’ve read on social media, how the vaccine will make them feel or realising many countries won’t allow you to travel there without being vaccinated, there are many and varied reasons.
"The decision to get vaccinated is personal, but we want people to know that it's ok to have a change of heart, to change their mind."
Prof Watson added that people should use resources like the NHS website and speak to GPs, pharmacists, friends and family in order to make a decision about coming forward for their vaccines. He added: "And when you’re ready, we’re here for you."
Dr Stephen Singleton from the Integrated Covid Hub North East also highlighted how much the vaccines would protect people from Covid-19.
He said: "A full course of vaccination – that’s three jabs - offers very good protection from Covid-19, including the Omicron variant which has led to record levels of cases.
"Being vaccinated reduces the chance of serious illness in every age group, and helps reduce transmission of the virus.
"It also protects the NHS, as people who are unvaccinated are far more likely to be admitted to hospital if they become seriously ill with Covid."
In Newcastle, Emily Fisher is a vaccine lead for the Newcastle GP Services group. She said: "There are many reasons why young people my age may not yet have had the vaccine. It’s totally natural and we’re not here to judge - it’s about making an informed decision that’s right for you.
"We have lots of very nervous young people come to the vaccination hub and we’re here to answer their questions. Very few seem to regret the decision once it’s been taken. I'd encourage people to talk to others they know and trust, chat to healthcare professionals, and when the time is right, we’re here to help."
