So far 1,000 staff at Leeds hospitals have been given the jab during the initial phase of the Government vaccination programme.

Last week the first frontline health employees working in high-risk areas like intensive care and cancer units were immunised.

Teams are working at Leeds General Infirmary, St James's, Chapel Allerton, Seacroft and Wharfedale to provide the jab.

Ruth Holt, chief nurse at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said they were vaccinating seven days a week, 24 hours a day, across all sites.
Vulnerable

She added that they had initially had delivery of 2,000 doses of the vaccine and had now received another 5,000.

"We are also looking to vaccinate a small number of vulnerable patients as well, mainly our long-stay patients," Ms Holt told hospital directors.

Experts now think up to 12 per cent of people could catch the virus, reduced from 30 per cent, and there could be 1,000 extra deaths nationally rather than up to 19,000.

Vulnerable members of the public, like pregnant women and those with ongoing health problems, are set to be invited to get the vaccine from their GP later this month or next month.