Bradford Hospitals to begin administering Pfizer Covid vaccine from next week

NHS England confirmed the on Thursday, November 10.

It comes after hospitals in Leeds began administrating the vaccine on Tuesday (November 8) in the first wave of the immunisation programme.

Since the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine got the green light from regulators last week, health service staff have been working around the clock to manage the huge scale logistical challenge of deploying the vaccine.

Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, said: “Having witnessed the excitement and significance of the first jab, it is extremely important and encouraging that more hospitals in every region of England are joining the mass mobilisation of the NHS to get people vaccinated.

“The vaccination programme is a turning point for the country, and rightly NHS staff are prioritising those most at risk of the virus, with the programme expanding over the coming months, so when the time comes for you to get your jab, the NHS will let you know and I strongly encourage you to accept the invite.”

The phased vaccination programme will see patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospital as an outpatient, and those who are being discharged home after a hospital stay, prioritised to receive the life-saving jab in the first wave of delivery.

Care home providers are also being asked by the Department of Health and Social Care to begin booking staff into vaccination clinics.

GPs are also expected to be able to begin vaccinating care home residents.

Any appointments not used for these groups will be used for healthcare workers who are at highest risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

How is the vaccine administered?

The COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm.

It is given as two doses, at least 21 days apart.

After having both doses of the vaccine most people will be protected against coronavirus.

It takes a few weeks after getting the second dose for it to work.

Will I be contacted if I can have the vaccine?

Yes. The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine.

It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then, the NHS website states.

Mr Hancock said: “With over-80s and frontline health and care staff receiving their vaccinations from today, the whole country will breathe a collective sigh of relief as our most vulnerable loved ones start to be given protection from the virus.

"Now’s the time to sit tight and remain patient until you get notified by the NHS that it’s time for your vaccination.

"Until then, protect yourselves and the NHS by continuing to follow local restrictions. We can see light at the end of the tunnel but still have a long way to go."

Professor Stephen Powis has warned that the roll out of a vaccine will be a marathon not a sprint.