A third large coronavirus vaccination centre has opened in the North East - and the first in County Durham.
Volunteers were at the Arnison Vaccination Centre on Monday to deliver the first round of vaccines to patients.
The centre is run by clinical staff, people who have been trained to become vaccinators, administrative staff and a range of volunteers all who make sure the service operates as smoothly and safely as possible.
Signage has gone up around the centre at Boldon House, which is owned by Northumbrian Water, with volunteers on site directing patients to the building.
Carol Turnbull, from South Hetton, was one of the first to receive the vaccine.
The 67-year-old said: '' I have never been here before but I just put the postcode details in my sat nav and I got here surprisingly quickly and on time.
''The staff here are extremely well organised and couldn't have been more helpful and pleasant.
"It's very quick and easy once you arrive, they answered all my questions and explained everything I needed to know about what to do after receiving the vaccine.
''I am a thousand, no more like a million per cent relieved to have finally had the vaccine, I can now start to think about living a normal life again.
''I have four gorgeous grandchildren who have not been able to hug for a whole year and now I can't wait to be able to see them again.''
Albert Lund-Larsen, 66, from Stanhope, said: ''I have really been looking forward to being vaccinated, I wanted to come here as soon as I possibly could and like other people in my age group I have been waiting eagerly for my letter from the NHS.
''I expected it to be a lot busier, queues of people and a lot of waiting around but it couldn't have been more simple and easy, you just check in, give your details and soon you have had the jab and are on your way again, I would recommend it to anyone.
''I am an ex-army man so it was good to see they are working alongside the NHS nurses and everyone else here, they are all doing an absolutely fantastic job.
''Now that I have had the vaccine I feel a total sense of relief, and I can't wait to come back for my next one.''
In line with all other vaccination services, the NHS will contact people when it is their turn to book their vaccine.
The NHS has so far vaccinated over 500,000 people in the region in the first four priority cohorts.
The vast majority of people in the 70-75 age groups have now also been offered vaccination as well as those who are classed as extremely clinically vulnerable.
The NHS is prioritising vaccinating those who experts have agreed will benefit from having it the most.
Dr Stewart Findlay, Primary Care Clinical Director for the NHS Covid Vaccination Programme for the North East and North Cumbria, said: ''Already the NHS across our region has done and continues to do an amazing job getting as many people as possible vaccinated, as quickly as possible.
''Opening up the third vaccination centre in the region helps us to reach even more people as the programme continues to expand, giving even more people the opportunity to have their vaccine.”
''We have received significant support from local partners to help us ensure this site is ready and that we can provide a good experience for patients and staff.
"In particular our grateful thanks to staff at Durham County Council, Northumbrian Water, public transport providers, local police, the Arnison local businesses and of course our ever-growing army of volunteers and staff.
''We are constantly delighted by how much people want to help us with the vaccination efforts, we know it’s the way we can all have hope that we can all get back to normal and see the end of this awful situation.
Dr Findlay added: ''We know people are very keen to have their vaccine but remember it might be more convenient to wait for your local vaccination service run by GPs to get in touch. People should not be worried there is enough vaccine supply to make sure that everyone who wants to have a vaccination can do so.''
Since Monday, February 15, people in cohorts 5 and 6 are being invited by the NHS to have their vaccine.
Cohort 5 - all those 65 years of age and over
Cohort 6 - all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
Local GP vaccination services are focusing initially on the clinically vulnerable from cohort 6 because of the relationship between general practice and those with long term conditions, and continuity of care.
People in cohort 6 (aged 65 and over) may also receive a letter from the national booking service inviting them to book an appointment.
Should somebody aged 65 to 69 want to wait to be called by their local GP vaccination service or who have already received the jab they do not need to respond to their national booking service invitation.
It will not be possible to use the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service if you haven’t received an invitation letter.
Doing so risks someone who has not been able to get through and book their appointment.
It will also not be possible to get a vaccine at a Vaccination Centre or Community Pharmacy without an appointment.
Doing so risks disrupting the work of NHS staff in protecting those at highest risk.
