Boxes of the vaccine have arrived at the Hampstead hospital 

THE first Camden patients and hospital staff will be vaccinated against Covid today (Tuesday) in a clinic at the Royal Free.

Boxes of the Pfizer vaccine arrived this morning at the Hampstead hospital where one of 50 of the nation’s vaccination “hubs” has been set up to manage the immunisation programme.

Patients aged 80 and above are the first to be offered the vaccine along with some high risk NHS workers.

Residents will receive letters inviting them to come in for the jab or have it arranged with care home workers.

Any appointments not taken-up will automatically go to hospital workers in the north central London NHS sector, including at University College London Hospitals and the Whittington in Highgate.

The vaccine requires a booster jab 21 days later after it is administered. 

Royal Free London group chief executive Caroline Clarke said: “This is a very exciting moment for all of us who have seen first-hand the impact of Covid-19 on our hospitals and our communities.”

The chief executive of the NHS, Sir Simon Stevens, visited the hospital on Monday ahead of an official launch meeting staff who will deliver the vaccine to patients and staff.

A major recruitment drive is underway to ensure the NHS has enough staff to administer the vaccine when it is rolled out in full.

GPs and health care workers are also expected to start delivering the injection next week.

The Pfizer vaccine is administered by injection but it needs to be stored at -70C before being thawed out.