Published on: 13 May 2025
A leading respiratory consultant is reminding people at risk to come forward for a Spring COVID-19 vaccine.
Latest figures show that one in five eligible people across the North East and North Cumbria have already had their COVID-19 vaccine this spring, 42% of those most at risk.
Since the spring vaccination campaign began on 1 April, NHS teams across the region have given out more than 172,244 vaccines.
With just under 40 days left, the NHS is urging people at highest risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 to get their free spring vaccination. This includes:
- People aged 75 and over
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
- Care home residents
Appointments are available across the region, at hundreds of local pharmacies and GP surgeries.
The spring vaccine programme will continue until Tuesday, 17 June.
NHS teams have also visited 87% of care homes, with 11,964 residents already reached.
Dr Catherine Monaghan, respiratory consultant and medical director, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said:
"Even though the sun is shining COVID-19 hasn’t gone away. It’s still a serious virus, especially for older people and those with a weaker immune system.
"It can be just as dangerous in spring and summer as it is in winter, and people are still becoming very unwell and ending up in hospital.
"I've cared for seriously ill patients in hospital with COVID-19 who were unvaccinated and it's always difficult to see someone suffer from an illness that could have been prevented.
"Getting the vaccine is the best possible way to protect yourself, especially if you're at higher risk."
If you're eligible, you can book your free COVID-19 vaccine now by:
- Search NHS COVID-19 vaccine online via www.nhs.uk/bookcovid
- Use the NHS App
- Call 119 for free
- Appointments are also available at community vaccination clinics – book online through this page: Be wise, immunise, community vaccination clinics
