Chesterfield Royal Hospital chosen as one of the first 50 to roll out Covid vaccine

The Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was named among 50 trusts and hospitals across the country who will receive the vaccine in a letter sent out to health bosses last month.

Details of how the trust will roll out the vaccine or where the vaccines will be administered have not yet been revealed.

But it is understood that elderly residents will be the first to be offered the vaccine.

As more becomes available, possibly in the New Year, this will be extended out to the other risk groups.

The Pfizer/BioNTech injection was given approval for use in the UK yesterday. It is hoped people could receive the first dose next week.

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Derbyshire County Council director of Public Health Dean Wallace said: “I’m sure this is news that we have all been waiting for and it will be vital in the fight against COVID.

"We will be working to support the NHS who are leading the rollout of the vaccine and we are currently awaiting further information as those plans take shape.

“This announcement does not immediately change the situation that we are in and it’s more important than ever that we keep doing what we’ve been doing for the past few months – washing hands regularly, staying apart and wearing a face covering.

"However promising the news is we still have a way to go to beat the virus.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.