THOUSANDS of people in Winsford have welcomed their first Covid jab as the vaccination programme is being rolled out with great speed in a meticulously organised operation.

Residents say they immediately felt protected and are reassuring people worried about the injection to have it with confidence.

GPs and nurses from the town's five surgeries have teamed up to administer the vaccine at special weekend sessions in Dene Drive Primary Care Centre.

Andy and Barbara Dent

Andy and Barbara Dent

Andy and Barbara Dent

Many other patients have received jabs at their own GP surgeries, pharmacy sites or other mass venues.

Residents have praised medical staff and volunteers for making them feel safe, reassured and relaxed.

Winsford Town Cllr Mike Kennedy and his wife Hilary were delighted to receive their first jab and urge anyone having doubts to think again.

Cllr Mike Kennedy and wife Hilary after receiving their first Covid jab

Cllr Mike Kennedy and wife Hilary after receiving their first Covid jab

Cllr Mike Kennedy and wife Hilary after receiving their first Covid jab

Cllr Kennedy said: "I would advise anyone who is a bit reticent about having the injection to please go. There is nothing to be worried about. It's barely a little scratch and we had no side effects.

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"I'm critically extremely vulnerable so fortunately I got a bit higher on the list. We came away with that feeling of security. After just one injection, it's amazing.

Brother and sister Ernie Welch and Joyce Buckley

Brother and sister Ernie Welch and Joyce Buckley

Brother and sister Ernie Welch and Joyce Buckley

"As each person is inoculated we are doing one tiny bit to help save the NHS. Protect yourself, the country and the NHS.

"I was very impressed, the whole operation was smooth and really efficient. I can't praise the nurses, doctors and volunteers enough. It was a marvellous experience to see how well organised Winsford is."

Fred and Yvonne Day

Fred and Yvonne Day

Fred and Yvonne Day

New research has revealed that a single shot of either the Oxford-AstraZeneca or the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid jab reduces the chance of needing hospital treatment by more than 80 per cent.

Public Health England data showed the effect kicked in three to four weeks after vaccination.

The findings were based on people aged over 80 who were the first to receive the jab.

John Malam is co-ordinating volunteers from Friends of Winsford Town Park and local residents to direct traffic and act as marshalls at the weekend vaccination sessions.

Ken and Dorothy Olsen

Ken and Dorothy Olsen

Ken and Dorothy Olsen

John said: "It is a very slick operation. People can walk straight into the surgery, have their vaccination and wait in the safety of the marquee for 15 minutes.

"People said they felt very happy and relieved to have the vaccine and praised all the Winsford GPs and practice staff for reassuring them."

Patients are asked to sit and wait for 15 minutes in a marquee after receiving the Pfizer vaccine

Patients are asked to sit and wait for 15 minutes in a marquee after receiving the Pfizer vaccine

Patients are asked to sit and wait for 15 minutes in a marquee after receiving the Pfizer vaccine

Every Winsford resident aged over 80 plus staff and residents in care homes have now been offered a vaccine.

Swanlow GP Dr Jonathan Griffiths said: "We are currently working on 'cohort 6'. These are people aged 16-64 with an at risk condition.

"These are distinct from those who are thought to be clinically extremely vulnerable and are shielding and will have been identified and flagged on the GP systems.

"This is a very large cohort so we are asking for patients to be patient as they wait for their invitation."

Patients in this group may receive a phone call from their GP practice or a letter inviting them to book at one of the other sites.

Marshalls Suzanne McKevitt and Mike Baynham

Marshalls Suzanne McKevitt and Mike Baynham

Marshalls Suzanne McKevitt and Mike Baynham

Dr Griffiths said: "Depending upon the vaccine supplies, people will receive either the Pfizer vaccine or the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. "It is not possible for me to say at this time which vaccine people are likely to receive but people should be reassured that both work very effectively.

"When attending for vaccination people should be prepared to present a bare upper arm to the vaccinator, but come with warm clothing as those who receive the Pfizer vaccine will need to wait for 15 minutes in the marquee before leaving.

"All of the surgeries in Winsford would once again like to thank the people of the town for their patience and cooperation in getting this vaccination programme done.

" It has gone very well so far, people have been understanding and gracious and we have appreciated that. Ongoing thanks to our community volunteers."