PEOPLE from Tenbury will start to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in days.

The GP practice in Tenbury has entered into a collaboration with practices in Leominster and in Herefordshire.

There will be a vaccination clinic that will be used by the five practices at a location close to Tenbury that has not yet been confirmed.

The plan is that frontline health workers will be the first to get the vaccine along with those who are most vulnerable with people aged 80 and over in the first tranche.

People will be contacted and the GP surgery hopes that this can be by letter with the first clinic likely one day next week. There are also planned be clinics the following week.

It is stressed that vaccinations are by appointment only and people should not just go along.

The Tenbury surgery has been undertaking a highly successful programme of seasonal flu vaccinations where the take up has been much higher than usual.

There are 9,400 patients on the surgery books including more than 700 in the high priority group.

People who get the virus vaccine first will get the one that has been developed by Pfizer/BioNTech. This has to be stored at minus 70 degrees.

A second vaccine known as the ‘Oxford vaccine’ and produced by Astra Zeneca has been approved for use and will also be available next week.

This vaccine can be stored in a fridge and is easier to handle than the PfizerBion/Tech version.

It is this vaccine that most people will receive.

Although the vaccines have been produced in record time the medical advice is that they are safe.

The vaccines will not be given to pregnant women or children. They have not been tested on pregnant women or on children who if they get Covid-19 only show mild symptoms if any.

Whilst most people with pre-existing medical conditions will be able to have the vaccine, advice is still awaited for those whose immunity may be suppressed or people receiving treatments like chemotherapy.

Both of the vaccines will be given in two doses between 21 days and 28 days apart. In order to have full protection it will be necessary to have two doses.

The Covid-19 vaccine can be had by people who receive the normal annual flu jab although they will not be given at the same time. People who have either had a positive test for Covid-19 or believe that they have had the illness will still be able to be vaccinated.

It is not known how long the protection will last for or if it will become necessary for people to have inoculation’s annually as is the case with traditional flu.

Age is by far the biggest risk factor from the virus and this is why priority is being given to the oldest members of the population.

It is expected that it will be rolled out to other people starting early in the New Year.