This Boots store in Yorkshire will be the first in England to offer the Covid-19 vaccine - and it's the Oxford jab

The town's store has been chosen as the first Boots site in the country to begin dispensing vaccinations - and will offer the Astra-Zeneca Oxford rather than the Pfizer jab.

Two more Boots stores, including Huddersfield's, will begin the service within weeks and further expansion is in the pipeline.

NHS England approved Boots for the roll-out because of their previous track record in delivering vaccinations safely and effectively.

Specially designed facilities will be available in the store, and Boots has worked closely with the local clinical commissioning group to launch the service.

Boots managing director Seb James said: “As we begin vaccinations at our Halifax pharmacy today, we are incredibly proud to support the NHS during this extraordinary time. Like with Covid-19 testing, we believe Boots can play a key role in the vaccination programme - our pharmacists are experts in vaccination programmes and have a trusted role at the heart of our local communities.

"Pharmacies are extremely well placed to support the roll out of this vaccine quickly and safely, and we stand ready to do much more. We stand ready to do more to support the NHS and the government to accelerate its roll-out.”

Boots has already begun specialist training with pharmacists on the handling and administering of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Patients will be invited directly by the NHS to book their vaccination appointment at the Boots pharmacies.

Halifax store manager Natasha Eastwood added: “I’m thrilled that our pharmacy has been selected to be at the forefront of the nation’s vaccination efforts, and I’m grateful to our entire team who have been working around the clock to set up our new vaccination site. Pharmacies like ours are at the very heart of their local community, offering a trusted team and location that our patients are familiar and comfortable with to be vaccinated.”