Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has detailed how the government's vaccine delivery programme will operate in the region.

Her comments follow on from the MP advising how Rutland residents may start receiving invitations to a mass vaccination centre, as previously reported by Nub News.

The MP said on social media: "We have always known that vaccines would be our best way out of this pandemic and towards a more normal way of life. It is why the Government began supporting ground-breaking research to understand and defeat COVID-19 from as early as January last year, and pre-ordered millions of vaccines. As a result of this work, we were the first country in the world to authorise a vaccine against COVID-19.

"Today we have three authorised vaccines for COVID-19; more than any other country in the world and have opened seven Regional Mass-Vaccination Hubs across the country.

"The priority is simple, we need to save as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible, while also reducing the hospitalisations that are creating such pressure on the NHS.

"Across the UK, we have already vaccinated over 2 million people, and are on track to deliver on our commitment to offer a first vaccine to everyone in the most vulnerable groups by the middle of February. These groups have so far accounted for 88 per cent of COVID-19 fatalities. For every 200 people vaccinated, one life is saved."

Mrs Kearns continued: "Locally, residents are being offered vaccinations at hubs in Melton, Oakham, Billesdon, Market Harborough, Charnwood, Leicester hospitals, Stamford, Grantham, Peterborough, or within Northamptonshire or Rushcliffe, depending on which GP you're registered at.

"By the end of this month, we hope to be able to deliver at least 2 million vaccinations in England per week and have over 2,700 vaccine sites including pharmacies operating across the UK, with plans for everyone in England to be within 10 miles of a vaccination site."

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She added: "I am pleased that all residents and staff in over 10,000 care homes across the country will be offered a vaccine by the end of the month. Then, we will expand the programme so all adults can be vaccinated by the Autumn."

The full Vaccine Delivery Plan can be found here.