Covid vaccinations are to start at Medway Maritime Hospital next week.

It is not yet known which day they will begin, but healthcare workers and people in the highest risk categories will be first in line.

Welcoming the news, Medway NHS Foundation Trust chief executive, James Devine, said: "We are proud to be named as one of the latest Hospital Hubs to begin vaccinating all those aged 80 years and older, care home workers and NHS frontline staff.

"This vaccine plays an important role in our response to Covid-19 and we are delighted to be involved in the delivery of it.

“I would also like to thank our staff for their incredible efforts; not just for the planning and preparation involved in getting the vaccine ready for distribution, but for the compassionate care they have continued to provide for our patients throughout this pandemic.”

It comes as Medway and Swale – the areas the hospital serves – remain the worst two affected areas in the country.

Medway has an overall infection rate of 606 people per 100,000 population, while Swale has a rate of 624.

The picture is even grimmer when looking at some of the worst-hit local areas.

Chatham south west has recorded 1,052 cases per 100,000, Rochester south east 878 and Gillingham south 798.

In Swale, Sheerness east is at 703 and Sittingbourne central 636,

The Gillingham hospital was previously placed on an NHS list to be among the first hubs this week.

But for a still unexplained reason, alongside Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, it was removed.

The first hospital in Kent to administer the jab was William Harvey, Ashford, on Tuesday.

Darent Valley has been contacted to see if it has been given the go ahead by the Department of Health.

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