Health Secretary Matt Hancock encouraged people to go on holiday to Weston-super-Mare during a visit to the area today (May 25).
Mr Hancock visited Riverbank Medical Centre vaccination clinic, in the North Somerset town, this afternoon (Tuesday) to hear how the covid-19 vaccination programme is going in the region.
During his visit, the secretary of state for health and social care said: "I would love for people to come to Weston-super-Mare.
"Holidays are important for everyone and, with international travel being more difficult, I can't think of a better place than Weston-super-Mare to come on holiday.
"In the summer, I am going on a holiday on the South West.
"I am going a little bit further south and a little bit further west than here, I am going to Cornwall.
"But, if I ended up in Weston-super-Mare, I would be very happy."
The health secretary said the South West as a whole has an amazing uptake on the covid vaccine and a very high vaccination rate but that it is normal that cities like Bristol tend to be a bit further behind, adding what was necessary was to ensure everyone had access to a vaccine.
"Bristol is doing great by national standards, but the South West as a whole is incredibly advanced," he continued.
"In fact, Somerset has one of the highest rates and here - in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire - the rates are very, very high too.
"The most important thing is for everybody to come forward and get the jab when they get the call."
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Riverbank medical centre has given 70,000 vaccinations to people in Weston and surrounding areas in GP clinics, care homes and during home visits.
Mr Hancock said he had learnt a few things during his tour of the centre, and added: "I have come here to Weston-super-Mare for the vaccination centre and I want to thank everybody in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG for the amazing job you have done on vaccines.
"Your take-up rates are phenomenal, thank you.
"The effort that people have gone to, over and above, in order to get this done has been incredible.
"I have noticed it from my desk in Westminster so I wanted to come down and see how you have done it."
Dr John Heather - clinical director of the primary care network, which covers eight surgeries including the vaccination centre - said it was a great honour that the health secretary had paid them a visit.
"We are thrilled to have him here and just show him what general practices can do," he continued. "It has been awesome effort.
"It is great to show off what we have managed to do here."
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