A NEW Covid-19 vaccination centre has opened today after moving from its former location.

Eastbourne’s vaccination hub at the Welcome Building in Compton Street, has been relocated to the former Mothercare shop at Hampden Retail Park, Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne.

From today, vaccination appointments for those eligible will take place at the new site.

People with appointments due to take place at the Welcome Building are being informed about the change of location via text message and email.

Siobhan Melia, chief executive of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, said the easing of lockdown restrictions, and the reopening of buildings such as conference centres and sporting facilities, meant an alternative location had to be found.

She said: “I’m so proud of the part Sussex Community Foundation Trust has played in supporting the vaccination programme across Sussex.

“Our teams at Eastbourne have worked tirelessly since we opened in February and we are proud of the service we have been able to offer communities across Eastbourne.

“We are looking forward to welcoming even more people to our new site in the town.”

The large-scale vaccination centre at the Welcome Building has provided many vaccinations for residents since it opened on February 1.

Last week, it was revealed that one million people in Sussex have now had a coronavirus jab.

Official figures released on Thursday revealed that 90 per cent of the county's most vulnerable residents have had their first vaccination - with 71 per cent of these having both.

This milestone has been reached just 24 weeks after the vaccination programme launched by the NHS.

The data shows that 1,028,925 people had had their first vaccination by Sunday, May 23, and of those 677,497 have also had their second.