Pensioner and carer receive first vaccines at Stepping Hill Hospital

Shirley McConnell, 86, who received the vaccine while at the hospital for a routine eye clinic appointment, said ‘I think it’s a wonderful thing the hospital are doing’.

As well as pensioner Shirley care home worker Sara Lydon was also vaccinated.

She said: “I was happy to be one of the first to get the vaccination.

“I think it’s very important for people working in care homes to get vaccinated to keep themselves safe and help get life back to normal.”

On Sunday it was announced that 50 ‘hospital hubs’ would start vaccinating people aged over 80 who were outpatients as well as those being discharged after a hospital stay.

NHS England say those who qualify for the first round of vaccinations will be contacted to attend a hub for the vaccine.

The Government has secured 800,000 doses to begin with - with enough doses to vaccinate 20 million people on order however the majority are not expected to become available until next year.

Hospitals chosen as ‘hospital hubs’ for the vaccination were identified as such because they met “very specific storage and security measures”, say NHS England.

GPs and other primary care staff have also been put on standby to start delivering the jab.

A number of GP-led primary care networks will begin doing so next week with more practices in more parts of the country joining on a phased basis during December.

Vaccination centres treating large numbers of patients in sporting venues and conference centres will also host centres when further supplies of vaccine become available.

Karen James OBE, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud to be one of the first 50 Trusts to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine to our most vulnerable patients, frontline care and NHS workers.

“The impact of covid-19 can never be under-estimated – therefore we welcome the opportunity to take part in the largest vaccination programme our country has ever seen.

“I would urge anyone who is contacted to come forward for their jab.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.