A medical centre in Birkenhead will start giving priority residents their second coronavirus vaccination jab next week, despite national reports suggesting a delay.

Miriam Medical Centre has completed three rounds of vaccinations over the past two weeks.

A further round of vaccinations for patients commenced on New Year's Day and will carrry on over the weekend.

By close of play tomorrow, 5,000 people will have received their first dose at the medical centre.

The Miriam-led service is for patients registered with Arno Primary Care Alliance and North Coast Primary Care Network.

Staff have vaccinated residents and staff in all care homes under their care and also four care homes in Moreton.

A message on the Miriam Facebook page said: "From Monday 4th January, we will commence giving the second booster dose for those who were vaccinated three weeks ago.

"Please note we are not cancelling scheduled appointments. We are requesting people to attend their appointment as scheduled."

Despite the successful rollout of the first vaccination process, Dr Abhi Mantgani, Senior Executive Partner at Miriam Primary Care Group, had become concerned that some residents would not keep their appointments for the second jab, due to mixed messaging.

He said: "We are completing the second dose for those who were vaccinated prior to Christmas and new year. At the same time we are extending the vaccination of first dose to other groups."

On New Year's Eve, the UK’s chief medical officers said that a first Covid vaccine dose offers “substantial” protection and urged health service colleagues to back plans to delay second doses so more people can have their initial jab.

But the Birkenhead medical centre wants to ensure that people who have had their first dose before New Year's Day and have an appointment for their second jab, will receive it as scheduled.

Dr Mantgani said: "We are concerned that the elderly public will not turn up due to mixed messaging. We have agreed this policy across all sites in Wirral with the CCG."

The Covid vaccination service at Miriam is one of six designated sites in Wirral.

Dr Mantgani added: "We wish to thank the public for their co-operation and all the practices in the network for their support in delivering the service."