GPs in Worcestershire will begin to rollout the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to patients across the county this Saturday.

The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) confirmed that they received the first delivery of the Oxford vaccine yesterday morning, and will begin the rollout on January 9.

In Worcester, a collaboration of 11 GP surgeries collectively known as the Worcester PCN, will be working together to administer the vaccine from Monday, January 11.

The vaccine is being delivered to a select number of surgeries in the county to maintain services at other surgeries for patients, though all patients will be able to receive the vaccine at a site that is close to them. .

As with the previous rollout, patients are being asked not contact their GP practice or local hospital directly asking for an appointment.

Gemma Moore, GP at Ombersley Medical Centre said: “It’s fantastic to have another vaccine ready to roll out in Worcestershire.

“Our Primary Care teams have been working tirelessly throughout Christmas to vaccinate vulnerable patients, and the delivery of the Oxford vaccine will allow us to reach even more patients over the coming weeks and months.”

GP surgeries in England began the rollout of the Oxford vaccine in other parts of the country yesterday, which wouldn't have been possible without a pool of volunteers, including more than 600 people from Worcester.

Volunteers are needed to find out which potential vaccine is most effective, and those involved are required to visit hospital or research sites every few months.

NHS digital data shows 605 people from Worcester had volunteered to take part in coronavirus vaccine studies.

So far, two vaccines have been approved in the UK – the Pfizer vaccine, which was rolled out in December, as well as the Oxford vaccine.