PATIENTS across Worcestershire have begun to receive their coronavirus vaccines, as the nationwide roll-out begins.

Michael Shuck, 83 and James Crossland, 82, became two of the first Worcester patients to receive the vaccine when the pair, from Ombersley, got the jab on Monday (December 14).

In addition, staff from the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, the first hospital in the county to be chosen for the vaccine, have also been receiving their jabs.

Consultant colorectal surgeon Pamela Sivathondan was the first in line for her vaccination.

READ MORE: Former Worcestershire cricketer sets up support service for aspiring athletes

This latest phase of the vaccine roll-out is being co-ordinated by GP-led primary care networks (PCN), which are groups of general practices working more closely together.

This means that patients may be invited to receive the vaccine from a location that is different to their registered practice but one that will still be nearby to where they live.

The last few weeks has seen practice teams working rapidly to redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.

Dr Gemma Moore, practising GP and lead for Droitwich and Ombersley PCN said: “This is the greatest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and, to help vaccinate people safely we will be delivering it in convenient and familiar settings.

READ MORE: Messages of hope to be displayed at Worcester Cathedral this Christmas

“As a GP I’m proud to be part of this huge national effort to protect our patients against the virus and I would urge the public to come forward when they are called up for the vaccine.”

As the nationwide roll-out of the vaccine began yesterday (December 14) Worcester MP Robin Walker called it a “watershed moment”.

He said: “I think this is a major moment in terms of rolling out the vaccine both locally and nationally.

“To be doing it less than a week after it started is great.

READ MORE: Nationwide covid-19 vaccination programme begins

“It is being targeted at first, so the elderly and the vulnerable will be receiving it, so my advice to people would be to be patient and wait until you are contacted by the NHS.

“The timing of it is perfect as well, spreading some hope during the season of hope.

“I hope it can coincide with Worcester moving back to tier one either in the new year or just before.”

In Worcestershire, the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been added to the list of health trusts to deliver the first wave of the vaccine, though the vaccine hub at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern is not due to be up and running until early 2021.