GP surgeries across the Hoo Pennisula have now been approved by the NHS management as a provider to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine.

Tonight, MP Kelly Tolhurst announced that the Pennisula PCN which includes the GP surgeries at Highparks, Cliffe, Cliffe Woods, Wainscott & Higham, St Werburgh and the Elms have now been approved to offer the Covid-19 vaccine.

The news follows after concerns were raised about how people living in the area were the last in Kent without a vaccine centre nearby.

But today Kelly Tolhurst announced: "As I understand the vaccine will only be delivered from one of the sites in the initial stages.

"I am told that the vaccine should be started for people in the over 80s priority group from next week with people being contacted as soon as the PCN get the logistics in place.

"At this stage I do not have the information as to which site will be being used. However I know that the PCN are desperate to get their patients vaccinated and will be working as quickly as possible.

"I will update you as soon as I have further details."

It is believed that Kelly Tolhurst is continuing to push the CCG, who plans healthcare in the county, for further plans and for decisions from the NHS team on pharmacists who are very eager to get going as soon as possible.

The announcement follows the covid vaccine roll out in Medway last week.

A spokesman for NHS Kent and Medway CCG said: “A service for people in the Hoo Peninsula has now been agreed and will begin, subject to vaccine delivery, next week from Wainscott surgery.

"Patients will be invited for a vaccination and do not need to contact the surgery.

"As part of the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS, we continue to increase the number of vaccination services across Kent and Medway with 38 GP services already vaccinating and more opening this week and next.

“The rollout will continue across the county with the addition of pharmacy sites and vaccination centres as more vaccine supplies come on stream and NHS staff continue to work hard to ensure all Kent residents are vaccinated as swiftly as possible.”

Read more: All the latest news from Medway