A QUARTER of over 12s in Bradford have yet to receive any Covid 19 vaccination – new figures have revealed.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 1,700 people in the Bradford district have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid.

And a new report by Bradford Council reveals that people living in Bradford city centre and Keighley were some of the worst hit by the pandemic.

Members of the Council’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee will be given an update on how Bradford is “living with Covid” at a meeting on Thursday.

The report going to members says that in the Bradford district 75 per cent of over 12 years old have received at least one Covid jab.

This is way below the national figure of 93 per cent.

In Bradford, 70 per cent of over 12s have had a second booster, compared to 88 per cent nationally.

And in the district, just 48 per cent have had their two doses and a booster, compared to 69 per cent nationally.

Bradford teams recognised nationally for Covid-19 vaccine work

The report says: “The Covid-19 pandemic is not over. Covid-19 is still a serious global and national public health threat.

“The roll-out of vaccinations and the discovery of new treatments for those hospitalised with Covid-19 have considerably reduced mortality when compared with 2020-21.

“Vaccines also reduced the severity of Covid-19 infections, weakening the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths. However, Covid-19 remains a significant cause of death in the UK.

“Bradford district has had higher Covid-19 transmission rates than most localities in England.

“Up to October 27, a total of 1,705 people had died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test within the district.

“This corresponds to a rate of 314 deaths per 100,000 people, while the rate for England is 300 per 100,000.

“The highest numbers of deaths in Bradford have been in areas with greater levels of deprivation (including City and Keighley Central), older populations (including Ilkley and Bingley) or among those with pre-existing medical conditions.

“When mortality rates are corrected by the age structure of the population, the highest mortality in the areas of Bradford City where deprivation is highest is even clearer.”

The report also details the ways public health bodies can boost vaccine uptake, including “Challenging myths about vaccination using an evidence-based technique” and “produce culturally appropriate messages led by trusted role models, faith leaders and high profile vaccine champions aiming to dispel vaccine myths.”

It says the Council could target groups that are less likely to take the vaccine by “Avoiding stigma and blame by having messages for different groups but not focusing exclusively on them.”