OXFORDSHIRE GPs will start vaccinating vulnerable patients against coronavirus this week.

The county will be among the first to deliver the jab to priority groups within the community, which includes those aged over 80 and care home staff.

Oxford already has a hospital hub at the Churchill where vaccinations began a week ago, with older patients and frontline NHS staff among the initial recipients.

ALSO READ: New variant of Covid found in south of England 'may spread faster'

Now residents over 80 are being invited to receive the Pfizer jab, which must be stored at -70C, from GP-led hubs in Abingdon, Chipping Norton and Henley.

These areas have been picked to be part of the first wave of 280 GP practices across the country as they have a higher proportion of people aged over 80 than other areas of the county.

Barton Community Centre in Oxford is also understood to be on the list, though this has not been confirmed by the NHS.

Oxford GP Dr Joe McManners said vaccinations would take place on Friday for Manor Surgeries and Hedena in Barton.

ALSO READ: Could Oxfordshire move to Tier 3?

Around 1,000 over-80s who have already been contacted are expected to set to receive their injections there, he said.

The whole operation of administering the jabs has to be done in one day and if not, vaccinations could also take place on Sunday at the centre.

Dr Kiren Collison, GP and clinical chairman at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Coronavirus is the greatest health challenge in NHS history, taking loved ones from us and disrupting every part of our lives.

"We are delighted that practices in Abingdon, Chipping Norton and Henley are now part of the first wave of local vaccination sites that will start vaccinating people who are most vulnerable.

"I would encourage patients to get the vaccine when called for it; the strict approval process this vaccine has gone through means it is safe and our best defence against the virus."

She added: "This is the latest step in the plans to roll out the vaccine across the country; other age groups and cohorts will be offered the vaccination in a phased approach, in line with national priorities."

Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff will work alongside GPs to vaccinate priority groups, with the first injections carried out yesterday afternoon.

ALSO READ: Pictures as first people get jab in Oxford

The NHS has confirmed residents of care homes in England will also receive their first jab later this week after distributors finalised plans to safely deliver the Pfizer vaccine.

The most vulnerable will be contacted when it is their turn to receive the vaccine, which requires a second dose 21 days after the first.

Dr Nikki Kanani, practising GP and NHS director of primary care, said: “GPs, nurses, pharmacists and other primary care staff are eager to play their part in protecting people against coronavirus.

ALSO READ: Oxford Covid vaccine 'safe and effective', study shows

“This is the greatest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and, to help vaccinate people safely we will be working with local communities to deliver it in convenient and familiar settings."

She added: “As a GP I am proud to be part of this huge national effort to protect our patients against the virus and I would urge the public to come forward when they are called up for the vaccine.”

The latest phase of the vaccine rollout will see more practices and community pharmacies joining in phases during December and into early next year.