WARRINGTON Hospital has officially launched its coronavirus vaccination programme.

James White and Bill Vernon were the first patients to receive the Pfizer vaccine at the hospital last night, Tuesday, in its new vaccination hub.

This comes after 98-year-old Phillip Leech became the first person to be vaccinated for coronavirus in Warrington at Orford Jubilee Hub last week.

After receiving the first dose from occupational health nurse Lorraine Kenyon, 82-year-old Runcorn resident James said he was looking forward to being able to visit his grandchildren when possible.

Soon afterwards, Warrington resident Bill, 84, was vaccinated by lead nurse Deb Hatton.

After receiving the jab, Bill said: “I asked about it today at my appointment and they said I could have it, so I jumped at the chance as I want to feel safer and see my family.”

Warrington Guardian:

Bill Vernon with vaccinator Deb Hatton

The start of the hospital’s vaccination programme has been welcomed by Simon Constable, chief executive of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: “It is great news that at WHH, we are now underway with administering the vaccine to patients aged over 80 and those NHS and care home staff prioritised for the first phase of this vaccination programme.

“This is a huge step in our local fight against Covid-19, and we are delighted that after several weeks of preparations we have been able to put our plans into action.

“Our teams will be working hard in the days before Christmas to deliver the first dose of the vaccine to as many of those called up as we can and continuing throughout the festive period and into the new year.

“I would like to thank all the teams involved and thank all those who have been called up and booked in with us for their first vaccination.”

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals is one of a number of hospital hubs in Cheshire and Merseyside that will be administering the vaccine.

Residents are urged not to contact the hospital about making a vaccination appointment, as anyone in priority groups will receive an invitation to book from either their GP or an NHS hub.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter was present at the hospital while the first vaccinations were being administered.

He added: “It is great to see the Covid-19 vaccination programme got underway today at Warrington Hospital, with a full roll-out to NHS staff, care home staff and patients in the priority groups at the hospital’s outpatients department.

“The vaccination programme at the hospital follows a launch in the community last week by GPs and community nurses. 

“I really enjoyed chatting with staff who were carrying out the vaccinations and some of the patients, including James White, who was first to get the vaccine and is looking forward to seeing his grandchildren in the New Year once he has had the second dose.”