North East misses out as coronavirus vaccine is rolled out to second round of hospitals

The closest site to this region in the roll out programme’s second round, which was announced on December 10, is Bradford.

Newcastle and South Tees remain the North East’s only trusts administering the new jabs.

Other areas now covered in the extended list are Leicester, Birmingham, Berkshire, East Lancashire, Manchester and Worcestershire.

Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, said: “Having witnessed the excitement and significance of the first jab, it is extremely important and encouraging that more hospitals in every region of England are joining the mass mobilisation of the NHS to get people vaccinated.

“The vaccination programme is a turning point for the country, and rightly NHS staff are prioritising those most at risk of the virus, with the programme expanding over the coming months, so when the time comes for you to get your jab, the NHS will let you know and I strongly encourage you to accept the invite.”

In line with expert advice, the phased vaccination programme will see patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospital as an outpatient, and those who are being discharged home after a hospital stay, prioritised to receive the life-saving jab in the first wave of delivery.

Care home providers are also being asked by the Department of Health and Social Care to begin booking staff into vaccination clinics.

GPs are also expected to be able to begin vaccinating care home residents.

Any spare appointments will be initially used for healthcare workers.

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