Vaccinations using the Oxford vaccine have started at Warwick Hospital

The South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust has started vaccinating staff against Covid-19.

Vaccinations using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine have started at Warwick Hospital, with frontline staff working in high-risk areas being among the first to receive the jab.

Staff have been asked to identify their risk category and which priority group they fall into according to recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, with vaccinations initially focusing on patient-facing staff deemed to have an increased risk of infection.

This includes vaccinating care home workers who fall into this category.

Glen Burley, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: “The start of our vaccination programme marks an incredibly important milestone in our fight against Covid-19 and gives us a real opportunity to begin turning the tide against this virus.

"Our staff have been working extremely hard throughout the pandemic and we’re delighted to be able to offer this vaccine to protect them and help them deliver the great care they provide for our patients.”