RESIDENTS in the Halstead area may not have to wait long for the Covid-19 vaccine with a roll out in the area expected next week.

Plans to roll out the coronavirus vaccine to residents in the Halstead area may be a step closer after a statement by the Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery in Halstead hinted at a planned location and date.

According to the statement, it is hoped eligible patients will be able to get their hands on the vaccine from the end of the week commencing January 11.

The surgery is part of a network of clinics across the area consisting of Hedingham Medical Centre, Freshwell Health Centre, Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery, Pump House Surgery, Coggeshall Surgery and Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre.

The statement says that, of the surgeries in the network, at this time the Pump House Surgery in Earls Colne is likely where the area's vaccine centre will be based.

The most vulnerable residents will be the first in line for the vaccine.

This includes those who are high risk, people over 80 and care home workers.

It has also been said that the NHS will contact people when it is their turn to have the vaccine and therefore they should wait to be contacted.

The surgery said: "We are planning for our Covid-19 vaccination service to be open to eligible patients from the end of the week commencing 11 January 2021 onwards and we will soon start booking our patients into clinics accordingly.

"Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff will work alongside GPs.

"They will also be targeting the cohort of people who are the most vulnerable patients and considered at highest risk, people aged 80 and over and care home workers.

"As before the NHS will contact those currently eligible and invite them to attend an appointment – please don’t contact your GP in advance of this.

"It is likely that we will be carrying out vaccinations at our designated site at the Pump House Surgery, Nonancourt Way, Earls Colne, Colchester."