NORTH Essex residents eagerly rolled up their sleeves to receive their coronavirus vaccinations at Colchester United’s stadium.

The Jobserve Community Stadium, in United Way, opened as a mass vaccination centre today.

People in the top four priority groups, including those aged 70 and above and the clinically extremely vulnerable are being given the jab first.

Health and care workers are also being vaccinated at the centre.

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Jabbed - Kenneth Randall (Pictures: Steve Brading)

Kenneth Randall, a 74-year-old Army veteran from Colchester, said he was pleased to have been given his first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

“I wasn’t anxious about it,” he said.

“I used to be in the Army and have had lots of different jabs over the years.

“Now the first dose is in my system I need to see how I feel over the next couple of days, and I look forward to getting my second dose.”

His second dose will also be administered at the stadium.

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Pleased - Paul Nunny

Paul Nunny, 71, who lives in Colchester, admitted he was slightly apprehensive about getting the vaccine at first.

“It was smooth sailing in the end and the whole process was very quick,” he said.

Mr Nunny received his vaccination invitation on Friday and was impressed his jab was booked in four days later.

Many people receiving their vaccines drove themselves and parked in the stadium’s parking area.

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Joy - Sue Miller 

Sue Miller, 74, said she was told to briefly sit in her car before she drove herself home.

Mrs Miller, from Wivenhoe, said: “Anyone who drove themselves to the centre was told to sit in their car for 15 minutes after they received their vaccine in case of any side effects.

“We were told after a day or two to call our GP if there are any issues.”

Jenny Kirkpatrick, from Colchester, got her vaccination the same day as her husband - but they were given different jab venues.

Mrs Kirkpatrick, 74, said: “It’s great my husband and I are getting our first dose of the vaccine on the same day, but it’s odd that mine was at the stadium and his is at a GP surgery.”

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Vaccinated - Terry Eccles 

Terry Eccles, who is also 74, said the vaccination programme at the stadium has been “brilliantly organised”.

The Colchester resident added: “It’s been wonderfully organised and there were no hold ups or queues.”

About a dozen volunteers were on hand this morning to assist patients with directions and parking for their vaccinations.

Volunteer Rachel Beer, 47, who works for Colchester Leisure World, said: “It’s important to be able to help.”

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Helpful - volunteer Rachel Beer

Tony Pett, an NHS volunteer from West Mersea, said he felt privileged to volunteer today as it was an historic day for the stadium.

He said: "I wanted to volunteer as it's the right thing to do to get us out of this mess."