Local vaccination centres run by GPs will open this week across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire as the NHS continues its phased roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine.

NHS staff have been working around the clock to deliver this next part of the vaccine programme.

The latest stage is being delivered by groups of GP practices working together to target people aged 80 and over, who have been prioritised by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

This is just the first wave of Local Vaccination Centres, with more coming in the next few weeks.

The first vaccination sites, for which selected patients over the age of eighty will be invited to attend, will be located at four respective venues across B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire. Local readers’ closest at the moment will be Combe Down Surgery, Bath.

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine. Patients are asked not to contact their GP practice, local hospital, or other local NHS services.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This is the greatest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and, to help vaccinate people safely, we will be working with local communities to deliver the vaccine settings which are both convenient and familiar.

“People unable to make their appointment will be rescheduled, and will not miss out.

“We know that people are very keen to find out about our developing Covid-19 vaccination programme across the local area, and we will share more updates as information becomes available.”