West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has praised the efforts of the teams delivering booster vaccinations for thousands of local people each day in Malvern.

The MP visited the busy vaccination centre at the Three Counties Showground to get a briefing on how the roll-out programme is working locally.

The centre which is staffed with a combination of private contractors, NHS staff and the army, has been ramped up to make sure anyone who wants a Covid jab will be able to get one.

Over 80 per cent of the county population are expected to have received their third booster jab before Christmas but the centre will continue to operate in the following week to allow people to come forward for a first, second or booster shot.

Harriett said:

“Locally the booster vaccine offer has been taken up very quickly and it was great to see the smooth operation in place meaning that you can turn up, get a jab and be away in only a handful of minutes.

“I wanted to visit to say thanks to all the staff and volunteers who are making this possible. It is an immense effort and I wanted to share my thanks and the thanks of everyone who has been able to get a jab at short notice.

“I know that some people who live in rural areas are struggling to get to the Three Counties Showground and I have urged the local Clinical Commissioning Group to look at ramping up mobile vaccination teams and making more use of pharmacies too.

“But overall, the picture is very positive, and I hope that anyone who hasn’t yet come forward will be encouraged to book a slot or even turn up. By getting yourself jabbed, you are protecting yourself and helping to make sure that we can get on with doing the things we love in the New Year.”

Photo: Pictured at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground vaccination centre (l-r) Harriett Baldwin MP with site manager George Eldridge.