A “worryingly low” number of elderly care home residents have been reached by the Covid booster vaccine rollout so far, according to Age UK.
It comes as NationalWorld revealed that older adult care homes in England and Scotland appear to be being left behind, despite promises to prioritise them.
In England, only 72.5% of residents in older adult care homes, which primarily serve people aged 65 and over, had had a booster as of 28 November, NHS England data shows. In comparison, 80.7% of the entire 65 and over population had had a booster or third dose.
Care home vaccine data does not specifically include third primary doses, which are given to people with severely compromised immune systems such as those having chemotherapy.
But as care home staff are unable to log third doses on the Department of Health and Social Care’s vaccine tracker, it is thought some may register them as boosters anyway.
Every region in England except London – where vaccination rates are normally low – has vaccinated more 65s and overs than older care home residents.
But there are wide regional variations in the proportion of care home residents reached.
The lowest uptake so far is in the Midlands (an NHS area which covers both the East and West regions), where just 68.4% of the 62,605 residents have had a booster.
That compares to London, where takeup is highest, at 75.9%, and the South West, at 75.8%.
But which council areas in England have vaccinated the fewest elderly care home residents?
These are the 20 areas with the lowest uptake as of 28 November.
1. Knowsley
In Knowsley, only 227 out of 644 residents had been recorded as having a booster – 35.2%. | Shutterstock
2. Sandwell
In Sandwell, 653 out of 1,564 residents had had a booster – 41.8%. | Shutterstock
3. Rutland
In Rutland, 141 out of 303 residents had been given a booster – 46.5%. | Shutterstock
4. Barking and Dagenham
In Barking and Dagenham, 276 out of 570 residents had been given a booster – 48.4%. | Shutterstock