JAMES Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough has been announced as one of the first Covid-19 vaccine hubs, after administering the first vaccine today.

The hospital began vaccinating patients aged 80-years and over, care home workers and NHS workers at higher risk today.

This morning, Margaret Dixon, from Redcar, was one of the first patients to be given the jab.

She said: “I’m looking forward to being free and being able to go to the shops, I’ve not been in one since March."

Alan Downey, chairman of the South Tees Hospitals NHS trust tweeted: "First Covid-19 vaccination completed at 7.36 this morning at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. Huge logistical effort. Fantastic achievement by a wonderful team."

Care workers and NHS staff began to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

The Marton Road site is being used as a “hospital hub” for the roll-out of jabs – putting it among the first in the world to start administering vaccines. 

It was revealed James Cook would be used as a hub last week after concerns the nearest site for vaccines would be more than 50 miles away on Tyneside. 

A spokesman for South Tees NHS trust said: “Before first light this morning, our amazing team was eagerly awaiting the first patients, care home workers and staff who will be among the first in the world to receive their jab.

“The entire process has been designed by our clinicians and when the first people arrived for their vaccines, it went into operation like a well-oiled machine.

“It’s been a tremendous effort by everyone involved to get to this stage and this momentous day.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen hailed the roll out of the coronavirus vaccine in the Tees Valley getting underway as a “momentous day”. 

Teesside was one of the first places in the UK where the roll out of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine got underway this morning, as the first patient at James Cook received it around an hour after 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person in the UK to receive the vaccine. 

Mr Houchen said: “Today is a momentous day; just 12 months after the discovery of coronavirus and eight months on from the start of the pandemic, jabs of hope are going into people’s arms, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of scientists in the UK and from around the world.  

“With this vaccine now being given to local people here in the Tees Valley we can definitely say there is light at the end of the tunnel, but we must not let our guard down because of this news.  

“I know we all want to get back to normal as soon as possible; we want to see our family, spend time with friends and hug our loved ones, but it is going to take time before the majority of people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool receive the vaccine, with those aged over 80 and the most vulnerable to the deadly virus rightly getting it first.  

“Until the wider roll out of the vaccine we must all continue to follow the rules - this means wearing a face covering, keeping a safe distance from each other and regularly washing our hands. 

“People and businesses have made huge sacrifices throughout this pandemic and local communities have pulled together like never before and it has been heartening to see the level of community spirit, creating light during one of our darkest periods.  

“Teesside has had its fair share of knocks and this pandemic has been one of the heaviest we have received, but we always come back stronger because our comeback is always bigger than the setback.” 

It is understood vaccination centres across the country have been lined up in conference centres, sporting venues and similar sites to ensure better access to jabs during the roll out in the coming months. 

NHS bosses say most vaccinations will take place in January through to March or April.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list:

  1. Residents in care homes for older adults and their carers
  2. People aged 80 and over and front-line health workers
  3. People aged 75 and over
  4. People aged 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
  5. People aged 65 and over
  6. People aged 16 to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
  7. People aged 60 and over
  8. People aged 55 and over
  9. People aged 50 and over