WEXHAM Park Hospital will be among one of the first hospitals to start vaccinating patients against Covid-19.

Starting from tomorrow (December 8), the Slough hospital is one of 50 hospital hubs in the first wave to start vaccinating over the coming weeks and months as the programme ramps up.

People aged 80 and over as well as care home workers will be first to receive the life-saving jab, along with NHS workers who are at higher risk.

The Pfizer vaccine – which needs to be stored at -70C before being thawed out – will also be used on patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospital as an outpatient, and those who are being discharged home after a hospital stay.

READ MORE: Coronavirus in Berkshire round up - Sunday, December 6

Hospitals will also begin inviting over-80s in for a jab and work with care home providers to book their staff into vaccination clinics.

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

All those vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.

GPs and other primary care staff are also being put on standby to start delivering the jab. A small number of GP-led primary care networks will begin doing so during the week beginning 14 December with more practices in more parts of the country joining in on a phased basis during December and in the coming months

READ MORE: Santa comes to Langley and Iver

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This coming week will be a historic moment as we begin vaccination against Covid-19.

“We are prioritising the most vulnerable first and over-80s, care home staff and NHS colleagues will all be among the first to receive the vaccines.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure we can overcome significant challenges to vaccinate care home residents as soon as possible too.

“I urge everybody to play their part to suppress this virus and follow the local restrictions to protect the NHS while they carry out this crucial work.”