NHS STAFF have started the rollout of the Coronavirus vaccinations at Brampton Community Centre.

The jabs were issued to at risk groups yesterday by staff from the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust emphasised that people should not call their GP Practice about the vaccine because patients will be contacted when it is their turn.

On hand to see the start of the rollout was GP Dr Mark Alban from Brampton Medical Practice, from the Brampton and Longtown Primary Care Network.

He said: “We’re delighted to be able to launch our Covid-19 vaccination campaign here today at the community centre in Brampton.

"It’s been brilliantly organised by the practice management and the staff.

"It’s worked very well, there isn’t really a suitable space in the practice buildings to have this sort of mass operation and the prolonged observation that’s required.

"t’s a community initiative, we’re trying to get everyone vaccinated, we’re trying to target all our at-risk groups as quickly as possible.

"They all know where the community centre is, it’s their community centre, it’s their NHS.

"What you see here is the end point of a remarkable achievement. This time last year we did not know about Covid-19 and here we are due to the remarkable achievement of scientists around the world in putting a vaccine together so quickly.”

Brian Frost, 81, from Brampton, got a shot of the vaccine yesterday said: “Champion, not a bit of bother.

"The staff treating people are very nice and they’ve got it well organised here.

"I think it’s very good.”

Vaccinations will take place in a range of NHS locations such as hospitals, GP practices, community pharmacies and new, dedicated vaccination sites.

They added: "They will play an important part in supporting the region’s fight against the virus."

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