THE North-East's Nightingale Hospital has opened as a mass Covid-19 vaccination centre this morning.

The facility, near Sunderland, is one of 32 new vaccine sites set to open across the country this week and people started arriving for appointments from about 8am.

The Northern Echo:

NHS England said it will focus on offering jabs to health and social care staff today before opening its doors to other priority patients on Tuesday.

Mass vaccination centres were already up and running at Newcastle’s Centre for Life at the park-and-ride at Askham Bar, York.

Hundreds of thousands of letters have already been sent out to people over the age of 80 in the vicinity of the new sites inviting them to book a jab.

The new centres will mean there is a network of 49 mass vaccination sites across England.

The Northern Echo:

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said: “The whole of the NHS has mobilised to set about delivering this huge Covid-19 vaccination programme, and as more supply becomes available, we’re able to expand its reach and scale.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock appealed to the public to stick to social distancing measures as the vaccine roll out continues.

“While the vaccine can prevent severe disease, we do not know if it stops you from passing on the virus to others, and it takes time to develop immunity after a jab,” he said.

“So for now everyone must continue to stay at home to help bring down infections and protect the NHS.”

The Northern Echo:

Despite the opening of the new facility, there are still concerns about vaccine clinics being 'stood down' in North-East due to supply issues.

Those eligible for a vaccine will receive a letter and should not contact the health service, NHS England said.

You cannot get a vaccine just by turning up, and those given a time slot are asked not to arrive early to prevent queues and overcrowding.

For details and appointments visit nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/