Roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine has made rapid progress across Wirral’s seven designated GP-led vaccination centres, but patients must now wait a little longer for their follow-up booster jab.

More than 9,500 people have been vaccinated at Miriam Medical Centre in Birkenhead alone, including 100-year-old Marjorie “Peggy” Maskrey MBE.

In 2017, Ms Maskrey was awarded the MBE for her life-long outstanding contribution to the work of the town’s Charles Thompson Mission.

She first went to the mission, aged eight, and has volunteered for the past 84 years.

Ms Maskrey was delighted with the service she received at the Miriam Medical Centre and said: “The care and compassion shown here to me and thousands of other elderly people was excellent and I look forward to returning to my work with the mission soon.”

Following government instructions and guidelines, all the sites in Wirral have stopped administering the second dose of the vaccine until further notice.

Dr Abhi Mantgani, clinical lead for the service, said: “We have had to cancel over 2,500 appointments for people who had their first dose between December 29 and January 3.

"We have tried to contact all the people concerned and request people not to simply turn up, as we are not allowed to give the vaccination. We regret the inconvenience but wish to assure you that we will contact patients before the 12-week deadline after the first dose, to have the booster dose.

"We are following government instructions and guidelines and will be increasing the number of people being vaccinated and who will get protection.

“The rate of new cases is alarmingly high and we should all be wearing a mask, maintain safe distance and follow lockdown rules whether we have had the vaccine or not.”

On Monday the Government said the over 70s will be offered vaccines in areas where the “majority” higher up the priority list had already received their first jab.