Watford Town Hall and Hemel Hempstead Hospital are among new coronavirus vaccination centres set to open this week.

The NHS has announced that a further 18 sites will open for people to get a Covid jab as the vaccination programme continues to accelerate.

The openings will mean there are more than 100 of the large-scale centres offering the jab, along with more than local 1,000 GP services, almost 200 run by High Street pharmacy services and over 250 hospital hubs.

Watford Town Hall and Hemel Hempstead Hospital are among the 18 new sites that are due to open this week, the NHS said.

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said the vaccination centre at the Town Hall will be opening on Thursday.

It comes after a vaccination centre opened in Asda in Watford, with the superstore turning its George clothing department into a hub capable of delivering thousands of vaccinations each week.

This is in addition to various GP surgeries across the Watford area which have been administering vaccines, as well as those available at Watford Football Club via the hospital and the mass vaccination centre in Stevenage.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care, said: “Tremendous efforts have been made by GPs across the country to ensure we vaccinate those people who are in the priority cohorts as determined by the JCVI.

“Since the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine was approved for use and we began administering it on 4 January when Brian Pinker became the first person to receive the jab, my colleagues across the country have been prioritising the vaccination programme roll out which is our biggest chance of beating this virus.

“Please remember the NHS will be in touch with you when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.”

Covid-19 vaccinations are only available by appointment, either following an invitation from a person’s own GP practice or a letter enabling someone to choose to use the national booking system. 

Currently the vaccine is being offered to:

  • People aged 80 and over
  • Some people aged 70 and over
  • Some people who are clinically extremely vulnerable
  • People who live or work in care homes
  • Health and social care workers

GPs are also visiting those who cannot leave home to ensure that they are also protected.

The new sites due to open from Monday, February 8 are:

  • Chesterton Indoor Bowls Club, Cambridge
  • East of England Showground, Peterborough
  • Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Hemel Hempstead
  • Norwich Community Hospital , Norwich
  • Old Laws Court, Lowerstoft
  • Whitemore Lakes, Lichfield
  • Elland Road Stadium, Leeds
  • Hull City Hall, Hull
  • Alderley Park Conference centre, Macclesfield
  • Chester Race Course, Chester
  • Bucks University Aylesbury Campus, Aylesbury
  • St John Shopping Centre, Preston
  • The Mall, Burnley
  • The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh
  • Saxon Court, Milton Keynes
  • Watford Town Hall, Watford
  • Watling House, Dunstable
  • Angel Centre, Tonbridge