BASILDON Hospital is set to administer its first coronavirus vaccine TOMORROW.

The first cohort of people who are eligible for the vaccine are those aged 80 or over. They are now being contacted by the hospital by text message.

Patients aged over 80 will be able to book online through a link provided in the text message or call the dedicated booking line on 0333 0153 478.

A spokesman for the Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust, which runs Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals, said: "Due to the storage and transportation requirements of the vaccine, we are opening the Basildon Hospital vaccination centre first.

"We cannot confirm when the centres at Broomfield and Southend will be open, but currently expect this to be in a few weeks’ time."

More to follow