THE first local Covid-19 vaccination service run by a local doctor will begin in Thurrock this week as the roll out of coronavirus vaccination programme gains momentum.

Stifford Clays Health Centre, on Crammavill Street in Grays will be the initial surgery dispensing vaccine to designated at risk residents or essential workers.

Thurrock Clinical Commission Group (CCG) says further sites will be added in the coming weeks.

The initial target group of borough residents is those aged 80 and over, as well as care home workers and other health care workers, identified as priority groups for the vaccine.

Residents of care homes in Thurrock will also receive their first vaccine shortly after distributors finalise new, stringent processes to ensure safe delivery of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine.

The CCG says, like hospital staff at Basildon University Hospital (part of NHS Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust), who launched their campaign last week, local practice teams are working rapidly to redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.

People in the priority groups will be contacted directly when it is their turn to receive the vaccine and local residents are being asked not to contact their practice enquiring about vaccination.

Dr Ronan Fenton, Medical Director for Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership, said: "Our local GPs, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and other primary care staff are working together to ensure they can play their part in administering this life-saving vaccine.

"We will be vaccinating those aged 80 and over, as well as care home and health care workers first. You will be contacted and invited for your vaccination when it is your turn. We would urge you not to contact the local NHS enquiring about vaccination, they will contact

you. This is a phased vaccination programme which will expand over the coming months."

Patients receive two doses of the Pfizer vaccine by injection into their upper arm, at least 21 days apart.

For further information about the vaccine click here.

Further information about the local Covid vaccination programme is available via this link.