FEWER than one in 10, 12 to 15-year-olds have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in Bradford, figures show.

Figures from the UK's daily covid dashboard show 2,207 young teenagers had received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by October 17 – around 6.4% of the age group, based on the number of people on the National Immunisation Management Service.

Of them, 0.2% had received both jabs.

Vaccinations for 12-15 year olds in Bradford started earlier this month.

Across England, just 15.0% of 12 to 15-year-olds had received their first jab by October 17 – compared to 47.4% across Scotland.

The national rate varies between 44.3% in South Ribble, in the North West, and just 3.5% in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

A spokesperson for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Bradford district and Craven said: “Vaccination clinics for 12-15-year-olds are being held at Jacobs Well and Airedale Hospital as well as the other large-scale vaccination centres in West Yorkshire, and parents can book appointments for their children online using the NHS National Booking Service or by calling 119. 

“This provides an additional option for children in this age group to get their jab during half term, alongside the clinics being provided in schools. Clinics have already been booked in for all schools in Bradford and will be completed by mid-November.”

Walk-in household and family clinics for anyone aged 12 or over are also being held at St Luke’s Hospital on Monday 25 October between 5-8pm and Friday 29 October between 4-8pm.

Anyone under 16 must attend with a legally responsible adult.

Mr Angus said: "While hospitalisation and even death from Covid in young people is thankfully very rare, increased vaccine uptake should help to reduce transmission rates in these age groups, bringing overall case numbers down and reducing the risk of infection being passed on to older, more vulnerable groups."

A first dose of vaccine cannot be delivered to someone if they are within four weeks of testing positive for Covid-19, waiting for the results of a coronavirus test, or self-isolating.

James Bowen, director of policy for school leaders’ union NAHT, said before Mr Javid's announcement that allowing 12 to 15-year-olds to attend walk-in vaccination centres would be "a sensible decision".

In Bradford, 43.3% of older teenagers were – up from 42.8% on October 10.

Asked why there appeared to be problems in getting jabs into the arms of pupils, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “There are a number of different factors, there’s no one single issue that presents a challenge.

“As ever with Covid-19 there are a number of challenges to overcome.”

In a joint letter to parents of secondary school and college pupils last week, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and Health Secretary Sajid Javid told parents that vaccines are the best defence against Covid-19.

“They help protect young people, and benefit those around them.

“Vaccination makes people less likely to catch the virus and less likely to pass it on,” the letter said.