Covid vaccinations will start at the Leicester General Hospital from this weekend.
The news was announced on Twitter by Harborough Councillor Neil O’Brien yesterday evening. He said: “It has been confirmed that Leicester General will begin vaccinations this Saturday for NHS staff & some hospital patients.”
“Vaccinations for people in the wider community outside of hospitals will start the week after next in Leicester along with the rest of the country.”
A dedicated vaccination hub set up at the hospital will first carry out immunising people in vulnerable and priority groups.
According to government guidelines those aged 80 and over, as well as care home workers will be the first to receive the jab. Staff working for the NHS who are at higher risk of contracting the virus will also be given priority.
Leicestershire County Council confirmed it has already began inviting people eligible for the vaccine, and all those vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.
Andy Williams, chief executive for the three Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups said: “This is fantastic news as we know that many people throughout our communities will be pleased we can start delivering this ground-breaking programme.”
“We anticipate that vaccinations will begin this weekend, subject to final details being confirmed, and be delivered from a hospital-hub at the Leicester General Hospital.”
He said: “Given the extended restrictions Leicester and parts of Leicestershire have been under the vaccine is welcome news. The team here are getting ready to deliver the vaccinations and looking forward to doing so.”
“It’s important to appreciate it will take time to be rolled out across the local population and, in the meantime, it is essential that people do not become complacent and continue to follow any local restrictions as well as public health advice.”
The Leicester General Hospital vaccination hub is the first of what will be a range of sites across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as further supplies of the vaccine become available.