A new large vaccination centre will open tomorrow and boost the town’s efforts to reduce Covid rates.

Harlow’s coronavirus infection rate, 907, is currently the highest in all of Essex.

As of January 26 a new vaccinations centre will open in Harlow Leisurezone in Second Avenue.

The centre will become the second location in the town to support the vaccination programme with Lister House giving jabs since the end of December.

Brian Keane, chief executive of Harlow Council, said: “The centre will be the second site in the town with Lister House already supporting the programme. I would like to thank all those, including the many volunteers and health staff, who are and will continue to play such an important role in making sure that Harlow residents are vaccinated against this virus.

“The vaccination programme will continue to be rolled out in priority order with residents having to book an appointment once they have been contacted by their GP or the National NHS. In the meantime as a town we must continue the hard work in following the lockdown rules to get Harlow’s infection rates down.”

Parking at Harlow Leisurezone will be free for those getting vaccinated.

The vaccination centre is one of 30 new centres to open in the UK.

There is now a network of 50 large scale centres, capable of jabbing thousands of people a week, across the country.

NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: “The NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in NHS history, is off to a strong start, with NHS staff working hard to accelerate delivery as more vaccines supplies come on stream, while caring for very large numbers of people who are seriously ill with Covid.”

Health secretary Matt Hancock added: “I urge every eligible person to book your jab when you get invited. By opening up more vaccination sites we are making it easier for people to get their vaccine.

"Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself but a jab doesn’t mean you can drop your guard. It takes time to develop protection and we do not yet know if it stops transmission. For now everyone must continue to play their vital role in this fight by staying at home to save lives.”

The Harlow Leisurezone centre will become available to book via the national vaccination booking website, by residents who are eligible and have received letters from the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service.

Everyone registered with a GP who is eligible to be vaccinated will be contacted in priority order, including those who are housebound or clinically extremely vulnerable.