THE first wave of patients to receive a Covid-19 jab were welcomed to a vaccination hub in Winchester.

Badger Farm Community Centre has been transformed into a vaccination site and will see health staff help with the rollout of the jab.

Practices serving patients in all parts of the county took delivery of the vaccine on Tuesday, with some kicking off their clinics in the afternoon and the others starting clinics yesterday (Wednesday).

Practices in Hampshire are working together to set up local vaccination centres in surgeries, community centres, and even a hotel.

Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff are working alongside GPs to vaccinate those aged 80 and over, as well as care home workers and residents, identified as priority groups for the life-saving vaccine.

One of the first to receive the vaccine at Badger Farm Community Centre was Richard Davies, known as Dickie, from Littleton.

Dickie, aged 92, said: “It was very satisfying. The organisation has been first class.”

He continued: “I have been very careful to avoid any possible interaction with other people. It impacts how you live.

“The vaccine will make it easier for our family to get together.”

Another was 92-year-old Stan Judd, of Badger Farm, who said: “I have had so many vaccines in my life. I was in the army and I went abroad so I’ve had plenty of vaccines.”

Speaking about how he has coped since the pandemic started, the army veteran added: “It has been horrible, but it has not stopped me from doing what I want to do but I am always abiding by the rules and that is what everybody should have which would stop it spreading.”

Another to receive the jab on Tuesday was GP and partner at Friarsgate Badger Farm Surgery was Dr Vaiky Selvaratnam. Dr Selvaratnam, aged 44, was given the vaccination due to his age, medical background and ethnicity – which puts him at higher risk of Covid.

He told the Chronicle: “It is a privilege to have it done today – it is very safe. I feel that I am in a privileged position to look after myself but also my patients.

“Some of my patients are very keen [to have the vaccine] and others are worried, of course, of side effects. I hope they see me having it done and they have more confidence, if I can do it hopefully they will follow that.”

In the first afternoon 120 patients were vaccinated, and once the Oxford vaccine becomes available it is hoped that 2,000 patients a week will receive the jab.

Marc Dryden, managing partner at Friarsgate, said: “I think it is emotional in a funny sort of way – it has been two solid weeks of preparation.

“The reaction from some patients today, they haven’t been out for months and months, they are so appreciative – it is incredibly rewarding. There is a lot of relief because this particular cohort are looking forward to seeing their grandchildren for Christmas.”

Like the hospital staff who launched the world-leading campaign last week, practice teams are working rapidly to organise the sites so that safe processes are in place to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine. People should not contact their surgeries, the vaccination service is available strictly by invitation only.