COVID booster jabs have started to be offered in Worcestershire.

Starting today (September 21), more than 1,000 patients received their new covid vaccinations starting with the over-80s and most vulnerable.

The jabs were given out at Ombersley Medical Centre, with queues of residents outside waiting to be jabbed.

Jabs are being delivered by Droitwich, Ombersley and the Rurals Primary Care Network, who are inviting patients in according to the JCVI guidelines.

All PCNs will be doing theirs for their respective communities, so patients should wait to be contacted by their GP practice to book their jab.

Dr. Gemma Moore, senior GP partner at Ombersley Medical Centre, said: "We’re delighted to be kicking off the booster programme in Herefordshire and Worcestershire here today, and the enthusiasm our patients have shown in coming to get their boosters is really encouraging.

"We’d like to say a huge thank you to our patients for making the effort to come in and get their jabs, as well as to the staff and volunteers who’ve worked so hard to make all these clinics happen across the county - because getting vaccinated helps to keep everyone safe, and will play a huge part in keeping the country moving this winter."

Ahead of the flu season, a new mass vaccination centre is opening in Worcester.

Following on from the success of the covid vaccination sites at the Three Counties Showground and St Peter's Baptist Church, GPs in the city have partnered with Worcester Racecourse to develop a similar site for the flu jab.

Patients will receive a text message from their GP inviting them to book their jab at the site.

Patients eligible for a free flu vaccination through the NHS include those aged 50 or over (or those turning 50 before March 2022), those with certain health conditions, who are pregnant or in long-stay residential care.

Dr Nikki Burger, senior GP partner at St Johns House Medical Centre and clinical director at Worcester City PCN said: "It’s easy to underestimate flu—but this virus kills tens of thousands of people in the UK every year.

"We want to make sure that the people of Worcester have the best possible opportunity to protect themselves against this virus as well as Covid."