61% of those eligible in Essex have had both coronavirus vaccine doses

But some people are unable to have the vaccine and we're being urged to help protect them

Author: Scarlett Bawden-GaulPublished 5th Jul 2021

People in Essex are being encouraged to have the coronavirus vaccine if they are able to.

The roll out of the coronavirus vaccine started in December with the elderly and those clinically vulnerable.

At the moment, around 61% of Essex's population has had both doses.

In Tendring, it's around 70%, whilst it sits at 55% in Colchester, making the Borough one of the lowest areas for double-vaccination in the county.

You can see individual counties, towns and neighbourhoods here.

However there are some people who due to medical conditions or age may not be able to have the coronavirus vaccine at this time, or ever.

Dan Flecknoe, a Public Health Consultant, explains:

"With any vaccine program there are people who's immune systems or allergies are not conducive with them having any vaccines.

"Those people are protected by something called herd immunity. If enough of the population are protected, if those people surround you there is nobody in your life who can give you the disease so its a form of indirect protection.

"Herd immunity levels are thought to be somewhere in the 60-80% region. We are achieving that in some areas but we need to achieve that across the population."

Drop-in centres and travelling vaccinations vans are being rolled out across the country but there is a focus on areas that are lower on uptake.

The goal of herd immunity following vaccinations is particularly important with no plans to vaccinate under 18s according to Dan.

He also highlighted that while he encourages people to have the vaccine if they are able people should not be questioned on their decision, particularly where a medical reason may be present.

Accessibility to information and people to answer questions is the best way to respond to hesitancy according to Dan.

When it comes to vaccination passports for travel and requirements for job position this is an ongoing issue but its expected medical exemptions will apply for coronavirus as it does with other diseases.

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