Cheshire East's health chief has welcomed the start of the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine to those most vulnerable.

Patients at 50 hospital hubs across England were some of the first in the world to receive the Pfizer jab after its approval last week.

Dr Matt Tyrer, Director of Public Health for Cheshire East Council said: "The news regarding the vaccine is a significant turning point in our fight against the virus. I'm delighted that the vaccine can now be rolled out in a safe and effective manner across Cheshire East.

"This will be the largest scale vaccination programme that this country has ever seen. It will be a marathon over the coming months and by no means a quick sprint."

Neither of the borough's two hospitals, Macclesfield and Leighton, are among the 50 to be administering the vaccine yet.

Dr Tyrer said: "Cheshire's health and care partners are working tirelessly to ensure a safe and effective delivery of the vaccine to the local population, initially to the most at-risk groups including over-80s, social care workers, care home workers and care home residents.

"It's important that those working on the front line in care homes are vaccinated in order to protect the many vulnerable and at-risk residents who they work tirelessly to look after, and the residents themselves are vaccinated."

He added that the rollout time means people must still adhere to the rules and guidelines to prevent further outbreaks in the coming months.

"We all must continue to remember to keep good hand hygiene, wear a face covering where appropriate and to keep a distance of two metres from other people," Dr Tyrer added.

Residents can support the rollout of the vaccine by following this simple guidance:

• You will be contacted when it's the right time for you to come forward. Please don't contact the NHS or your GP to seek a vaccine before then;

• When you are invited for a vaccine, please act on your invite and make sure you attend appointments when you arrange them; and

• Please continue to abide by all the social distancing and hand hygiene guidance, which will continue to help save lives.