THE age range of people able to get their Covid vaccine last been lowered again today as the vaccine rollout continues at pace.

The NHS has invited people over the age of 45 to book their Covid-19 vaccine appointment, with many in the North-East receiving a text this morning encouraging them to book a jab.

It signals the start of “Phase 2” of the vaccination programme – which involves offering vaccines to healthy adults aged under 50.

The move comes as it was announced that the Government has met its target of offering the vaccine to all adults over the age of 50.

It comes as there were 208 new Covid cases confirmed in the North-East and North Yorkshire in the last 24 hours as of yesterday, April 12.

Nationally, the Government said a further 13 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, bringing the UK total to 127,100.

Vaccine priority graphic(PA Graphics)

In England, it has been estimated that 19 in 20 of those who have already been offered the jab have taken up the offer.

One vaccination expert said that it was “vitally important” to vaccinate “the last few per cent”, or they could get infected and end up in hospital.

Professor Jeremy Brown, from University College London Hospitals and member of the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), told the Today programme: “The problem here is that 5-10 per cent have not been vaccinated.

“When the virus re-circulates through the community they could get infected and end up in hospital.

“So it’s vitally important that we get that last few per cent.”

Until now, the NHS had been focusing on offering vaccines to those deemed to be at highest risk – people over the age of 50, those deemed to be “clinically extremely vulnerable” and health and social care workers.

When its online booking system opened up to include people over the age of 45, the website crashed for many.

The announcement comes despite an earlier warning by the NHS in England of a “significant reduction in weekly supply” during April, meaning volumes for first doses would be “significantly constrained”.

The Prime Minister hailed the “hugely significant milestone” in the vaccination programme of reaching the April 15 target.

In a statement, Boris Johnson said that the Government remained on course to offer a first jab to all adults in the UK by the end of July.

The news comes as the Moderna vaccine was used for the first time in England.

The Government has ordered 17 million doses of the jab – enough for 8.5 million people.

Meanwhile, Ireland became the latest country to restrict the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, saying it should not be given to people under the age of 60, amid concerns over possible links to rare blood clotting events.

In the UK, the advice is that it should not be administered to those aged under 30.