SIX GP surgeries across Dorset have started to vaccinate patients against coronavirus.

Elderly people across the county became the first to receive the long-awaited vaccine when special mass clinics opened today.

Stour Surgery in Barrack Road, Christchurch and the Talbot Medical Centre in Kinson Road, Bournemouth are among those taking part.

Heatherview Medical Centre in Poole, St Leonards Hospital, the Weymouth Community Hospital and Bridport Medical Centre are also involved.

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GPs and other primary care staff have been working round-the-clock and throughout the weekend to deliver this part of the roll-out.

The latest stage is being delivered by GP-led primary care networks with more joining on a phased basis during December and in the coming months.

The Covid-19 vaccine is being rolled out nationally to people most at risk. People aged 80 and over as well as care home workers will be amongst the first to receive the vaccine. Vaccinations are being delivered according to priority groups identified nationally by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine.

People have been urged to be patient and not to contact their GP.

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Dr Karen Kirkham, GP, Clinical lead for the Dorset COVID-19 vaccination programme, and Assistant Clinical Director of NHS Dorset CCG, said: "As a local GP in Dorset I’m so proud of the huge local effort that has been made locally to deliver this next phase of the vaccination programme.

"I’d like to say a personal thank you to all of the local GPs, nurses, pharmacists, support and logistical staff, other primary care staff, and those in the wider health and social care system who have been working round the clock to make it happen.

"Primary care networks have been working rapidly to redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.

"This is very much going to be a marathon, rather than a sprint, and we’d like to ask for the continued help of the public to help us as we continue the roll-out of the vaccination programme for the people of Dorset.

"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. If you can’t make an appointment let us know as soon as possible and we can then offer the slot to someone else. You will be called again."

Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils, said: "It’s great to see this next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme getting underway in Dorset.

"With such a huge programme, it is going to take time to reach everybody and offer enough protection against the virus, so in the meantime it’s really important that we continue to follow the rules to prevent transmission. Please only meet people from other households outdoors and keep washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering and maintaining your distance from others."

The latest phase builds on the work of the hospital hubs launched nationally last week, which included Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.