A SURGERY says thousands of elderly people have now received their coronavirus jabs.

Pump House Surgery, in Earls Colne, is carrying out vaccinations for residents in the Halstead area as well as Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Feering, Finchingfield and the Hedinghams.

The six surgeries are all part of the same Colne Valley network of clinics.

Care home residents, staff and patients aged 75 and over started having their jabs on January 14.

The vaccine programme is being carried out by teams from the six surgeries and an army of volunteers who have worked in poor weather to make sure the clinics are safe and socially distanced.

Staff are now inviting clinically extremely vulnerable patients and people aged 70-74 to have their jabs.

There were some concerns at how far some people would have to travel to get to the surgery.

But clinical director Dr Paul Spowage said it was the best option for patients.

He said:“The Pump House surgery was chosen as the main vaccination centre for the Colne Valley as it is easily accessible, has the best car parking and waiting area facilities that allow social distancing. It is also fully equipped for emergencies.

“Despite significant disruption to our normal services, it has proven to be a complete success with nothing but positive feedback from people vaccinated there.”

One Halstead patient said: “It was good to see a friendly face among all the activity, but we did appreciate the helpful way in which we were guided from station to station so quickly and efficiently.

“Our thanks to all involved, both medical and volunteer. You are doing a very worthwhile job. We didn't have to wait outside in the cold, either.”

The surgery say more compliments arrive at the vaccination centre every day, not only for the staff but for the volunteers from all across the Colne Valley.

Residents are being asked to visit the PCN website for up to date information on the service at www.cvpcn.co.uk.