Mass Oxford vaccine rollout begins as GPs deliver their first doses

GPs have begun administering the Oxford vaccine for the first time as the race to vaccinate the nation against coronavirus intensifies.

In a bid to protect the 13.8 million most vulnerable people in the UK by mid-February, GPs have been instructed to prioritise Covid vaccinations over routine care. The British Medical Association told them to "re-prioritise and postpone other activities".

The first GP-administered Covid vaccine was delivered at the Pentland Medical Practice in Scotland. Every vaccine has so far been delivered in hospitals, but they will now be rolled out in hundreds of GP surgeries.

Ian Cormack was the first to be pictured getting the jab, and all the other patients among the first receiving the vaccine at Pentland are over 90.

The first jab comes after the announcement on Wednesday that the daily death toll has topped 1,000 for the first time since April 21, with England's healthcare workers are having to contend with quickly filling hospital beds.

On Monday January 4, a further 3,500 people were admitted to hospitals with coronavirus.

GP vaccinations come as welcome news with hospital bosses being forced to find extra beds in the care and nursing home sector as wards fill up amid a surge in virus cases, Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, said.

Boris Johnson told the Commons on Wednesday: "After the marathon of last year we are indeed now in a sprint, a race to vaccinate the vulnerable faster than the virus can reach them. Every needle in the arm makes a difference."

The Government aims to vaccinate all over-70s, front line healthcare workers and the most vulnerable by mid-February, which is when a review of the current lockdown rules will take place.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said that the Government and NHS are "working around the clock" to "scale up" the vaccination program.

He said: "The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine can be transported easily, and I'm delighted care home residents will begin receiving their first Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs this week."

This is the first step in the effort to mass vaccinate the most clinically vulnerable population in the UK in the battle against the new virus variant.

Upwards of two million vaccines a week will need to be administered for the Government to hit its mid-February target.