FARNHAM’S Covid vaccination service has already invited most over-40s to receive their first jabs, after the government on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to move into the next age group.

Giving an update on the town’s vaccine programme, Dr Ed Wernick told the Herald the Farnham Hospital vaccine hub is “heavily under way” with vaccinating 40- to 50-year-olds.

First-dose supplies are guaranteed until at least April 22, and Dr Wernick added: “We have been given confirmation that all second-dose supply will be maintained.”

The Farnham service continues to run twice-daily clinics, and is now offering exclusively the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine to first-time patients.

Dr Wernick has also reassured people of the safety of the Astra Zeneca jab after it was announced those under 30 will be offered alternative vaccines.

He said: “We acknowledge the review by the UK and European regulatory agencies. But medically the risk of blood clots is very small – one in 500,000 – especially when compared to the risk from Covid, and we don’t want anyone to lose faith in the vaccine or process.

“If we keep following this then we should certainly be able to come out of lockdown.

“It’s not there is a significantly-increased risk of blood clots for young people, it’s that young people are at less risk from Covid which means their relative risk goes up. But that doesn’t take into account protecting others, and also problems such as long Covid which is very debilitating.”