GP's will begin vaccinating some of Hertsmere's most vulnerable residents at a new pop-up centre in Borehamwood.

Health officials have confirmed a public vaccination centre will open at Allum Hall on Thursday.

The Covid vaccination centre, which will be led by Hertsmere's GP's, will be appointment-only and patients will be contacted by their GP with a time and date to visit.

Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group says it will be the Pfizer jab that will be administered to patients at Allum Hall.

These patients will initially be Hertsmere residents aged over 80, health and social care workers, and people living and working in care homes.

Everyone who is vaccinated will need a booster jab. It takes a few weeks after getting the second dose for the person’s antibodies to reach their optimum level.

More than one million people in England have received their first vaccination, including GP patients in Watford.

Read more: Full list of vaccination centres in and around Watford

The vaccine rollout in Hertsmere is extremely welcome, because the borough has some of the highest Covid infection rates in England - rates are extremely high in Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett, and Bushey.

Read more: High infection rates in Borehamwood, Elstree, and Radlett

Dr Alex Byrne, GP at Schopwick Surgery in Elstree, and chairman of Herts Health GP Federation and one of the organisers of the Allum Hall site, said: "General Practices across Hertsmere are working together to offer a community-based Covid-19 vaccination service.

"We have been working tirelessly to get all the elements in place, from fridges to parking signs, to ensure we have got a safe and efficient system for vaccinating patients.

"It has taken a huge team effort involving not only our practice and other NHS staff, but also Hertsmere Borough and Hertfordshire County Councils, Allum Hall trustees, voluntary agencies, the fire service, local police, local schools and supermarkets.

"All of this has been done whilst maintaining our usual GP services, which are still continuing."

Dr Kate Page, GP at Fairbrook Medical Centre in Borehamwood, and Herts Valleys CCG Locality Chairman for Hertsmere said: "We will be inviting patients in to receive their vaccine, following a strict eligibility list. You can help us with rolling out the vaccine by waiting to be contacted by us and not ringing to ask for a vaccination appointment. Don’t worry – we will be getting in touch with all eligible patients.

"Together, our teams at the local GP-led centres bring years of experience and knowledge delivering vaccination programmes. The entire medical profession is very excited to see the roll-out of this safe and effective vaccine to protect our patients."

Dr Anne Goddard, chairman at Allum Manor, said: "Allum Manor exists to serve our local community.  

"When the CCG asked if we would be willing to host a Covid-19 vaccination centre for Hertsmere, we didn’t hesitate for an instant.

"My fellow Trustees and all our staff felt Allum Hall would be an excellent location for such a Centre; thankfully the team of GPs and CCG staff with whom we are working agree.

"Many thanks for the dedicated teamwork by our Allum Manor staff who have helped to make this possible."